Customer Reviews

Bach's Adagios

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3 star:		(1)
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Almost 2 hours of "distilled" Bach- selections of the sweetest adagios by some of the world's best interpreters of the Baroque. Contains the most melodious extracts from the world's greatest masterpieces. The solos by flutist, Jean-Pierre Rampal have a dream-like quality of tonal purity: fitting preludes to choral motets by the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne and the Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne. The inclusion of Largos, Andantes and Preludes add well balanced variety to the more liesurely adagios.The selections provide a wonderfully peaceful background for reading or just relaxing.

Bach's Adagios is peaceful music that will soothe the soul. Each of the pieces have unique arrangements and emphasize different instruments. Some have a strong keyboard presence, others are more string driven, still others even feature a vocal choir. Some pieces are more captivating than others. Tracks 1 and 4 stand out on the first disc. The lead off track on the second disc is pretty memorable as well.

When I desire something more spirited, this two disc set has the potential to cause some boredom. But when peace and quiet is needed, this set is very appropriate.

This collection is a introduction to almost two hours of Bach's most seductive work during the Baroque period.

In the first CD, an almost ethereal quality embraces each piece, no matter the mood. You will feel peaceful, emotional, mournful and even filled with longing.

Qui tollis peccata mundi' from Mass in B Minor is magnificent. The church's influence on Bach's music is highly apparent and adds a spiritual dimension.

Andante from Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major is almost haunting and yet it almost embodies subtle joy or a feeling of anticipated happiness.

The second CD opens with Largo from Concerto for Keyboard and Strings in F minor and almost captures the feeling of spring. Perhaps the snow melting as you can almost hear drops of water falling softly onto the earth.

Prelude in C major follows with the vibrancy of new life or a stream meandering towards a river. Adagio from Violin Sonata No.5 in F minor always makes my heart beat just a little faster and reminds me of those first feelings of falling in love.

Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata No. 208 is superior and almost translucent in quality and was almost as familiar as Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring from Cantata No.147.

Beguiling pieces of Classical Music!

~The Rebecca Review

What more is there to be said about anything from J.S.Bach? He is absolutely beyond my critical comprehension. This set is gentle and wonderful and you should have it ,to add to your collection of Bach pieces. No one can have enough classical music. Buy this ,it is excellent.

I really like this album. I bought it after watching Music of the Heart with Meryl Streep. I was looking for the cello solo her son plays in the movie. It is on this record, and it is exceptional - Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major. Other notables are: Air on the G String, and Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring.