Customer Reviews

The Six Brandenburg Concertos and the Four Orchestral Suites in Full Score (Dover Music Scores)

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As stated in the title, this book contains the complete score for all 6 Brandenburg Concerti and all 4 Orchestral Suites by Bach. Parts are not included nor are they available separately from Dover.

It is in modern notation with very clear, dark printing. It is a large-format (approx. 8 1/2 x 11) paperback book and is bound like most paperbacks.

As with all Dover Editions, it is very easy to read and follow the music, but it was not designed as a performing score. Because of the binding (it won't lie flat) and because no attention was given to page turns, it is very difficult to play from. But if you wish to study the music or follow the score while listening to your favorite recording, you can't beat this edition for the money.

I recall reading that when Messaien was captured by the Germans during World War II, one of the few musical references he had in the POW camp was a score to Bach's BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS. The POW camp, of course, was where Messaien wrote his masterpiece QUARTET FOR THE END OF TIME. Owning this score won't guarantee the production of further masterpieces, but it is a valuable source of information. This edition also includes the ORCHESTRAL SUITES, as well as a preface that details the discrepancies between various editions of these works.

I, being a Bach fanatic, enjoy following along while listening to them on my stereo. Quite obviously, this book would be utterly useless to someone who cannot read music, but it is quite insightful for those who can. Although it is inadequate for performance (due to page turns, no separate parts, doesn't lie flat easily), it is very useful for just simply following along.