Customer Reviews

The Harmonia Mundi Bach Edition (Sampler)/ Herreweghe, Jacobs, et al.

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Harmonia Mundi has long been recognized as a leader in Baroque-era recordings, and this sampler, from the music recorded for the Harmonia Mundi Bach Edition affirms that stature. Teldec and Hanssler, among others, also offered complete recordings of Bach's music, but in many respects Harmonia Mundi's two dozen or so discs of selected music surpasses those complete works. HM has taken the familiar "historically accurate" approach to performance, and the results are lovely.
There are arguments over how to divide Bach's music, but for the purposes of argument let's say the music can be categorized as: Sacred and Secular Vocal (cantatas and Masses); Keyboard (including the organ); Chamber; and Orchestral music. Any attempt to present a well-tempered sampler of Bach's work will have to be judged according to it's skill with each area. HM is matchless in it's presentation of the Cantatas; the work of Rene Jacobs and his RIAS Kammerchor is mellifluous and dramatic, while Philippe Herrewheghe's Passions are extraordinary. Lionel Rogg presents what are, arguably, some of the finest interpretations of Bach's Organ Music, and Davitt Moroney--a keyboardist with wide experience with and knowlege of the Baroque era--performs flawlessly on the harpsichord. Other highlights: Jaap ter Linden's work is impeccable, and the incomparable Andrew Manze shines. After listening to this selection, the trick will be to find the CD's from which this sampler was drawn--not an easy task, believe me.

A most incredible compilation of Bach music I have ever heard. Great recordings; sound, clarity and quality. A must have for all Bach lovers. You will not be disappointed.

Los dos discos que Harmonia Mundi ofrecen como muestrario de su edicion 2000 poseen la variedad justa para todo amante de Bach. El comienzo alegre de concierto Nro. 5 se contrasta inmediatamente con la Pasion segun San Mateo para luego escuchar la version para violin de la Toccata e fugue en D menor, con la elegancia que solamente Andrew Manze piede darle. La intensidad que le brinda la Pasion segun San Juan al inicio del disco 2 predispone a seguir escuchando detenidamente este disco, con las ultimas 3 pistas brillantemente elegidas, el motete 229, en donde se nota el estilo de Rene Jacobs, el coral 657 inerpretado en forma magistral por Lionel Rogg y el final con el Sanctus de la misa en B menor, en el cual Herreweghe hace lucir a su Collegium Vocale. Un consejo, prueben escucharlo en Shuffle, sigue siendo puro Bach en su maxima expresion, no importa el orden. Simplemente Bach.