Customer Reviews

Essential Bach

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is truly a splendid collection of works by J.S. Bach. Covering a wide variety of sounds, tempos and textures, there's something here for everyone.

CD 1 begins with a dramatic orchestral version of Toccata in D minor, which is more commonly known as an organ piece. Then it shifts to the soft and soothing sound of Air (Orchestral Suite No. 3), followed by the heavenly melodies of Prelude in C major (a beautifully-played harp solo). Next comes the joyful-sounding Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (1st movement), followed by a serene piano solo called Aria.

Other highlights on CD 1 include the cinematic-sounding Allegro moderato (Violin Concerto No. 1), the upbeat, richly textured Brandenberg Concerto No. 5 (3rd movement), and the exquisite guitar playing in Bourrees I & II (from Cello Suite No. 3) and Prelude in D minor.

Highlights on CD 2 include the respective 1st movements of Brandenburg Concerto Nos. 2 and 3, the brilliant, uplifting guitar melodies in both Prelude (Lute Suite No. 4) and Gigue (Partita No. 1), the cheerful piano solo in Allegro (Italian Concerto), the touchingly subtle harpsichord playing in Largo (Keyboard Concerto No. 5), and the mesmerizing Organ solo in Allegro (Concerto in A minor for organ).

For me, the only thing that prevents this album from being perfect is the omission of the 3rd movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 and the 1st movement of Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. But it is still well-deserving of a five-star rating.

Quite simply the best sampling of J.S. Bach available.

Value and exquisite sampler of Bach on two CD's at an affordable price. Recorded by the likes primarily of Academy of the St. Martin-in-the-fields, Chicago Sympony, Boston Symphony, English Chamber Orchestra and with virtuoso performers as William Bennett, Heinz Hollinger, Pepe Romero, and Wolfgang Rubsam, one gets treated to wonderful Bach exerpts of all his fantastic breath and depth of chamber, symphony and choral works.

One will have to go to other places to find background on these marvelous compositions as the liner notes only list perfomer and date recorded.

Great CD with lovely classical music! We now have 3 of the "essential" classical series and enjoy them all.

LOVE LOVE LOVE this 2-CD set. I bought I a awhile back and have enjoyed it very much. My toddler likes it too. I think it's a great value for the money and may have to get another copy if this one wears out.

No other composer has produced such glorious music as J.S. has. This summary of his work is fine introduction and review. My aged ears won't allow critical analysis of one professional performance over another, so I'm happy with all of them.

This really has the best of Bach on one CD (compared to 150 for his total works).

I love this kind of playing. this is my favorite classical cd.

This is a good basic primer. A true Bach lover might find a better selection/orchestra.

This is a good album but for information on real choral music visit www.freewebs.com/bachster67/