Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (Orchestra), Paul Goodwin (Performer), Catherine Mackintosh (Performer), Rachel Beckett (Performer), Mark Bennett (Performer), Monica Huggett (Performer), Alison Bury (Performer), Marion Scott (Performer), Lisa Beznosiuk (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Paul Goodwin, Catherine Mackintosh, Rachel Beckett, Mark Bennett, Monica Huggett, et al.
• Orchestra: Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (June 8, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Virgin Veritas
• ASIN: B00000J2PP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,686 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Concertos > Concerto Grossi
  • #85 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > General
  • #85 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750) > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The Brandenburg Concertos seem to be Bach's most popular works by far, and there are so many recordings of them out there--on period instruments and "modern," and at all price ranges. Of course, it's hard to pick out one or even two to call the "best"--but this reissue of a 1989 recording by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has a good claim for the title of "Best Buy Brandenburgs." These performances don't have the splashy extroversion of Il Giardino Armonico or the caffeine-pumped, high-velocity thrill of Musica Antiqua Köln, but they're not overly reserved or dull, as some English ensembles are accused of being. The OAE's instrumental playing is very skillful indeed, with particularly nice work from the horns in the third movement of the First Concerto, and from trumpeter Mark Bennett in the Second; and the tempos are moderately quick (which means that they would have been considered rather fast before 1980 or so), but without being breathless. The slow movements sing sweetly--the viola playing of Monica Huggett and Pavlo Besnosiuk in the slow movement of the Sixth Concerto is especially lovely--and the quick outer movements have an infectiously bouncy pulse. If money is no object, you might want to consider Il Giardino Armonico or the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, but these here are surely the best Brandenburgs available at such a low price. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Divine Union, December 1, 2003

By 

Panagiotis (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6 (Audio CD)

It is on a very rare occasion that recording artists as well as recording engineers come together, as if by fate, to make an illustrious recording as done here. I believe that has happened with this recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti. The musicians play with much vigor, excitement, and virtuosity throughout. They rely upon the use of period instruments that definetely, to my ears, sound much more fitting to this music than the modern instruments used today. The recording engineers are every bit as talented as as the musicians in their own regard. All the musicians are recorded with plenty of breathing room allowing them space to blend well whereas 99% of recordings today are so closely miked it's as if the instrument is in your face. I'd have to say that of my entire music collection this budget priced cd is now my audiophile reference disc(s). I've listened to snippets of various recordings of this work at prices in the $30 range and have not been impressed by the music making and sound quality as I am here. This is a must have recording of these Concerti.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best recordings of Branderburg concertos, March 5, 2006

By 

Erez Katz "katzer" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6 (Audio CD)

I own quite a few recordings of the Branderburg concertos (Suzuki, Saval, Boston Baroque...) this one is one of the best.

There is an evident feel of musical joy coming out of this recording. I can't find other ways to describe it.
The musicians are enthusiastic about the work they are playing, restrained most of the time but when it is called for they give their best.

Highly recommended.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my copy was ok, February 8, 2006

By 

G. Metcalf (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6 (Audio CD)

This is an excellent version of the Brandenbergs. The tempos are good and the instruments are all clearly heard. I noticed that some sort of production problem led to some poor reviews with the 2 CDs having the same music for some people. I did NOT have that problem and think this set can be highly recommended.