The Best of Boccherini

Franz Xaver Pokorny (Composer), Luigi Boccherini (Composer), Pablo Casals (Conductor), Raymond Leppard (Conductor), I Musici (Performer), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble (Performer), Quartetto Italiano (Performer), Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields (Orchestra), Lamoureux Concert Orchestra (Orchestra), New Philharmonia Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: I Musici, Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields Chamber Ensemble, Quartetto Italiano
• Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Lamoureux Concert Orchestra, New Philharmonia Orchestra
• Conductor: Pablo Casals, Raymond Leppard
• Composer: Franz Xaver Pokorny, Luigi Boccherini
• Audio CD (August 10, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000416O
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,610 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Forgotten Gems Brought to Light!, August 30, 2006

By 

N. Cook "Allegro Squishyoso" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Best of Boccherini (Audio CD)

This was among my very first Boccherini albums (I own 50+) and I consider it an absolutely essential collection of his music.

CONS: I wish the "Famous Minuet" was presented as part of the whole quintet it was written in as this album presents it alone and thus out of its immediate context. Also, the playing on the Guitar Quintet #4 is a bit anemic, especially in the Fandango which sounds much better when played with force and zest (I strongly recommentd the version by Europa Galante) though Boccherini's beauty shines through. Finally, the Flute Concerto is not by Boccherini at all, but by Franz Pokorny.

PROS: Out of the four versions of the Cello Concerto in B flat that I own, this is BY FAR the most beautifully realized version. Its playing is so strong and full of life that I am continually amazed each time I hear it. Its Andantino Grazioso is one of the most beautiful pieces of music that you will ever hear. Boccherini has here reached the sublime. Also, this is the original version of this concerto as written by Boccherini, not the fake Greutzmacher hackjob that appears on some albums.
The String Quartet in D opens with an invigorating Allegro Vivace that is played with such excitement and warmth it will make you immagine you are running through a field of tall grass in the summertime.
The Allegro of the Symphony No. 3 stands up to any of Hayden or Mozart's symphonies. Its brief violin solo is gorgeous!
Finally, the Guitar Quintet #9 is at the same time full of kinetic brilliance and fragile tenderness.

The songs on this album are all gorgeous creations that deserve so much more of the spotlight than they currently have. In all, this is a GREAT introduction to the music of one of history's most beautiful (though forgotten) composers. I warmly recommend this to you.

30 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Fandango" has a spanish flair and played with such novice., April 13, 1999

By 

VIJAY N CHAK (iselin, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of Boccherini (Audio CD)

Boccherini- The first classical masterpiece which comes to our mind is his "Minuet". Bochherini has composed over 100 string quintets especially when he was in Spain. No wonder the third movement-Grave assai-in the Guitar Quintet No.4 in D (Fandango)composition has such added spanish tinge to it. Pepe Romero on the guitar accompanied by the Academy of St.Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble has captured the essence of the music with great brilliance. This Phillips recording would be a worthy addition to your classical collection.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classical Joy, March 24, 2008

By 

J. A. Mine (South Shore, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Best of Boccherini (Audio CD)

This 2 CD set is full of beautiful Baroque music by one of its masters. This is a terrific bargain for the quality of the performances. Highly recommended.