Customer Reviews

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos.1, 2 & 3

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I had previously owned a vinyl set of Brandenburg recordings by the Berlin Philharmonic, with Herbert von Karajan. I had bought it thinking, Bach is German, thus the Berlin Philharmonic should have a good interpretation. When I first heard this recording and its companion, I was simply blown away at the difference in the sound.This recording of the Concertos uses sparse instrumentation to present a sound that can best be characterised as subtle. It's a completely different presentation from the full orchestration version that I had previously heard. I do not claim to be a Baroque scholar, but it seems to me that Neville Mariner has definitely got it right with these recordings.

The companion recording is : Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4, 5, 6

I would say exactly the same things about the recording of Concertos 4, 5, & 6

This is an excellent recording of the first three Brandenburg Concertos. The recording of concerto #3 is just amazing and one of the best recordings I have ever heard of any piece.

My experience is that Sir Neville Marriner is almost always a safe choice. His career is most impressive. This is a classic recording.

I lost my previous version of the Brandenburg Concertos, and couldn't remember who did them, so thinking Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields is a safe choice (I almost always like how they perform anything), I bought this one. It's typical Marriner, orchestrated and performed as it should be. It just doesn't seem quite as exciting as I remembered my previous version was - but maybe that's just a trick of memory. I'm happy with it.

During the holiday season one year, while everyone was away and I was getting ready to move away from my old college town, I discovered one of my housemate's classical recordings and played it louder than any heavy metal enthusiast in mid-winter.

This is my favorite classical recording and the greatest of these is Concerto No. 3 in G, tracks 8-10, especially 8 and 10. The allegro sends my spirit above the clouds.

Listen to this and it will affect your view of music and the world.

Bach had the greatest gift - simply sublime!