Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze [Import]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Artist), Andrew Manze (Artist), Rachel Podger (Artist), The Academy of Ancient Music (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 13, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
• ASIN: B00000IL4A
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,104 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): I. Vivace

2. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): II. Largo ma non tanto

3. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): III. Allegro

4. Concerto In A Minor For Violin (BWV 1041): I. (Allegro)

5. Concerto In A Minor For Violin: II. Andante

6. Concerto In A Minor For Violin (BWV 1041): III. Allegro assai

7. Concerto In E Major For Violin (BWV 1042): I. Allegro

8. Concerto In E Major For Violin (BWV 1042): II. Adagio

9. Concerto In E Major For Violin: III. Allegro assai

10. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1060): I. Allegro

11. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1060): II. Adagio

12. Concerto IN D M:inor For Two Violins: III. Allegro

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Performances which made me listen to the works again, November 3, 1999

By 

TimPride (Winchester, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos (Audio CD)

There are not many who have not heard one or all of these concertos previously, particularly the Double Concerto. Having heard both these soloists live and on record, however, I was easily persuaded to invest in another CD of the Bach concerti. Thankfully I was proved right, and have enjoyed these performances repeatedly. Manze brings a sense of the improvisatory to these works, which so often are treated as untouchable monuments. His feeling, which Podger matches in the Double Concerto, revitalizes the spirit of the music. This is not simply to do with speeds, but the inner phrasing, which he encourages the orchestra to follow. If there is a small criticism, it is that some of the ornamentation does not stand up to repeated hearing: but if that is all there is to comment on, then I would not stand in the way of supporting the musicality presented here.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant interpretation to well known pieces, February 5, 2000

By 

Jonathan Gendler (Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze (Audio CD)

The pieces in this album are well known. However, listening to this brilliant, authentic interpretation and performance of these familiar pieces, fills me with great joy every time I play this CD. The violin concertos, to my opinion among the best of Bach's instrumental pieces, can fit almost every mood. They are perfect for intimate listening while doing absolutely nothing else, but also as background.

I've heard other interpretations to the concertos, but this is the best to my opinion. I must add that people who don't like authentic performance on period instruments might find this performance a bit thin compared to ones performed on modern instruments.

The last piece on the CD (BWV 1060) was a surprise, since it is better known as an Oboe-Violin concerto, and not as a double violin concerto. The result of the change (read Manze's explanaition as to why he did it) is fabulous.

If you buy the CD, take some time to read the short article Manze himself wrote about the recording and the interpretation. It's fascinating.

ENJOY!

29 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous Music and Interpretation, July 6, 2000

By 

James Schoonmaker (Centreville, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze (Audio CD)

I've always felt that the violin was a gorgeous, expressive instrument, and this CD gives me no reason to change my mind. Whether you like music played by period instruments or not, this CD certainly doesn't suffer for it. Both Manze and Podger are highly-regarded as period violinists; however, the focus is on the music, rather than whether the instruments are period or not.
The influence of Vivaldi is clear in these pieces, especially in the alternation of tutti and solo passages, but Bach is a good deal more inventive and daring in his compositions. The interpretation of BWV 1060, the Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, was an excellent choice and interpretation; using two violins, rather than a violin and oboe, fits the mood of the CD better, and the individual voices of the violins is spectacular.
As a side note, the liner notes are good, including a short essay by Manze on the pieces and interpretation, as well as short biographies of Manze, Podger, and the Academy of Ancient Music. Personally, I think this is one of the better Bach interpretations out there.