Customer Reviews

Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Dozens of Brandenburg sets are churned out every year but this one is well worth singling out. The playing is excellent, with lovely chamber music qualities, lightness of touch and nicely judged, sprightly tempi. What sets it apart from other recordings is Delos's VR surround sound. Until I heard this disc, I thought surround sound a very iffy gimmick, - extra resonance in a church via rear speakers being about as much as you could expect. But the sense of space given to every instrument in this recording is delightful, - they're not artifically spotlit, just beatifully placed and opened up within a vivid and real sound stage. And that just adds to the fun that all performances of the Brandenburgs should communicate.

I've been in a phase of complementing my period instrument recordings with HIP recordings on modern instruments (I long for the sweetness and resonance of the modern string sound periodically). This recording is defintely one I will keep on my shelf. Performance-wise, I still think Leppard's 70's ECO recordings set a standard yet unmatched on modern instruments, but these come closest, and the sound is very fine indeed (the engineers at Delos should get equal billing with the musicians).

One complaint: I don't find that there's any impulse, dance, drive to John Gibbons' harpsichord playing in the 5th concerto. By way of back-handed compliment to this very fine group of players, they respond excellently in kind to Mr. Gibbons lead, and as a result, the concerto is on the whole, somewhat staid.

If you were this as a one and only set (being immensely fond of the 5th concerto) - compare for example, with Leppard's performance, or Pearlman's playing with the Boston Baroque Orchestra (one of, if not the finest, period instrument recordings). Thrills abound in the I Barrochisti recordings with Fasoli on harpsichord (another period instrument recording - Fasoli may be William Malloch in disguise).

(P.S. By all means, just avoid the recordings of Musica Antiqua Koln, Marriner and/or ASMF - in a nothing to see here folks, keep on walking kind of way).

Read the title of my review and read the other positive reviews here, and that about says it all.

I just bought these last weekend after a brief listen in a store. I compared them last night to my 3 favourite sets on cd and these came out very well in the standings on all counts, but surpassed the others sonically. This makes them a first choice on cd. Highly recommended.

Will I stop playing the others? No way. But when I am in the mood for modern instruments and superb recording quality, this is it!

This two disc set of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti stands out in every way. Audio quality is excellent. Playing is exceptional all around and stylistically appropriate. Being a trumpeter, I am of course drawn to David Bilger's light, effortless, crystal sound on the Concerto No. 2. Tied with Adolph Herseth's recording with Levine.

I heartily endorse the other review concerning this set. I was looking for a non-period recording of these concerti and this one is a rousing good example of how satisfying modern instruments can be. The sound is round, with every nuance, however light, fully appreciated. The Paillard Chamber Orchestra's version on LP, with Maurice Andre and Jean-Perre Rampal, was my favorite for decades (and I still love it) but this is outstanding musicianship, clear ensemble playing and terrific sound. It makes for a joyous Sunday morning.