Customer Reviews

Bach: Violin Concertos, BWV 1041 & 1042; Double Concertos, BWV 1060 & 1043

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
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This is a must for all Bach admirers. I first encountered these performances when I was about fifteen years old - my parents had the vinyl disc (which, incidentally, did not include the concerto for violin and oboe, added here as a bonus & featuring Heinz Holliger). At that time, baroque music did not appeal to me very much, but somehow the seeds were sown... and after a few years of more or less involuntary exposure, I found myself falling head over heels in love with this music.

As always, Grumiaux's playing is a perfect delight for the ear - he seemed to have an uncanny ability to find just the right balance between classical restraint and romantic expressiveness, which suits this music very well indeed. The slow movements (particularly that of the E minor concerto) emerge as some of the most beautiful music ever written, filled with a sense of nobility and wonder; whilst the allegros are spun off with tremendous verve. For the double concerto, Grumiaux is joined by Hermann Krebbers, and the interplay between the two could hardly have been more perfect, especially in the finale which gathers enough forward momentum to leave your mind reeling long after the last chords have faded.

The recording comes from the late seventies, and has a kind of warm, wooden sonority to it that brings to mind a mature, full-bodied wine - and, if I'm allowed to extend the analogy, these performances are of a quality vintage that only seems to get better and better with age. Plus that they are at their best when enjoyed in good company!

All in all, a desert island disc if ever there was one. Even if you have other versions, you should give Grumiaux a listen, as this is really exceptional.

This album still delights after more than three decades. Arthur Grumiaux's brilliant tone and technical acumen are ideally suited to these concerti. These performances predate the advent of period-instrument interpretation that dominates current recordings of baroque music, but the present offerings cannot be said to be romanticized nor "mushy" versions. The tempi are uniformly well-judged and delivered with verve and momentum, in contrast to the many stodgy, plodding interpretations of these works. The double violin concerto also features great interplay and rapport between Grumiaux and Hermann Krebbers, an artist of the top order in his own right. The Largo movement is particularly fine, revealing Bach in a rarely-equalled lyrical dimension. The concerto for violin and oboe is also delightful, showcasing both soloists (the celebrated Heinz Holliger playing reed) in top form and in full sympathy. The sound throughout is rich and round but with Philips' characteristic clean and clear high-end sonics. I owned this album as an LP years ago, and have kept a slot for it on my CD rack for twenty years. There is a good reason why it still in the catalog. It is simply music of surpassing quality---and an exceptional value to boot...

Grumiaux makes the violin simply sing. He has the best rhythmic and melodic sensibility of anyone I've heard. With Grumiaux, it is the music not the musician that comes through. I have this CD and his Bach sonatas and partitas for solo violin (also great!). This version is the most musical of the Bach violin concertos recordings that I own. I have Perleman on the non-HIP end of the continuum (HIP=historically informed performance) and Pinnock on the HIP end. I also have Menuhin's version and several others. For me, Grumiaux is not as syrupy sweet as so many non-HIP versions are (a la Perleman) nor is he as dry as so many of the authentic performances (i.e., HIP versions). He is just, IMHO, the best. He makes the music sing, just right. I intend, and would recommend to others, to get as many of the classical violin basic repertoire, i.e., Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Mozart, Mendelsohn, Tchaikovsky, et al, in versions by Grumiaux as possible. I've not heard another violinist I like better.

There isn't anything extraordinary to say about this set of Bach violin concertos. For what they are, classicized performances, they are fine in tempi and polished elegance. Nothing dazzles about it. However, the orchestral sound is rich, and Grumiaux, as usual, sings with his violin playing. As a typically interpretated performance, this recording is a fine disc.

Although not quite as well known as some of his other works, Bach's violin concertos contain some of the most beautiful music ever composed. While there are many performances of these concertos available, including some recent releases, the classic performances offered here, featuring the great Arthur Grumiaux on violin (and the great Hermann Krebbers on the double violin concerto), are far and away my favorites. I cannot recommend this disc more highly.

A bit of historical background. As many readers know, although Bach composed a number of violin concertos (and for other melody instruments), mostly during his years in Coethen (approximately 1717-1723), with respect to violin concertos, only the three represented here remain in their original form (Violin Concerto in A minor, BMV 1041; Violin Concerto in E major, BMV 1042; and the Double Violin Concerto in D Minor, BMV 1043). (The concerto for flute, violin and harpsichord in A minor, BMV 1044, not included here, also remains in its original form). The remainder of Bach's violin concertos are reconstructured from his harpsichord concertos to approximate what is believed to be their original form (all but one Bach's harpsichord concertos had originally been composed for melody instruments, such as the violin, and were later reconfigured by Bach into harpsichord concertos). In addition to the aforementioned three violin concertos, this disc also contains the concerto for violin and oboe in D minor (reconstructed from the Double Harpsichord Concerto, BMV 1060).

I cannot speak more highly of these performances. They are the best performances of these pieces I have heard, and I own the fine period performance sets by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert (featuring Simon Standage) and by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, respectively. Although those performances are wonderful, this one is better. What truly sets this set apart is the absolutely wonderful playing of Arthur Grumiaux. He achieves such beautiful tone on the violin. The A Minor Concerto and the E Major Concerto are terrific performances. The Double Concerto in D Minor, with Hermann Krebbers on second violin, is absolutely stellar. The first movement will knock your socks off, and the second movement is one of the most beautiful pieces of music I have ever heard. Grumiaux and Krebbers just sing to one another; it is simply moving.

These recordings were originally recorded in analogue, and although not quite as crisp as newer recordings, they contain a warmth that suits these performances well.

In short, this disc is a must buy if you are into Bach. If you are new to Bach, I would recommend the Brandenberg Concertos/Orchestral Suites set by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert first, and then this disc. Very highly recommended!

I was wonderfully surprised to have been able to locate this recording on CD format - it's incredibly musical, delicate, strong and melodic! Highly recommended!

As a violinist, I am currently working on the Bach A minor. I got this CD hoping that it would help me out a bit. Well, I was very disappointed. The expression and interpretation is bland, and though I know this is a wonderful concerto, I wouldn't have guessed it from this recording.