J.S. Bach: Musical Offering, BWV1079

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Gustav Leonhardt (Performer), Robert Kohnen (Performer), Barthold Kuijken (Performer), Sigiswald Kuijken (Performer), Wieland Kuijken (Performer), Marie Leonhardt (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Gustav Leonhardt, Robert Kohnen, Barthold Kuijken, Sigiswald Kuijken, Wieland Kuijken, et al.
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (August 19, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029Y7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,099 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars superb performance, November 20, 1999

By 

Juan David Gonzalez Cobas "jdgc" (Gijon, Asturias Spain) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: J.S. Bach: Musical Offering, BWV1079 (Audio CD)

I own various top-level performances of this masterpiece of J.S. Bach's, and this is by far the best one I have heard. Its most outstanding virtue is the tremendous sharpness and transparency in the phrasing of contrapuntal lines. Some points could be better (e.g., a faster tempo in the Ricercar a 6), but this barely darkens the general bright of this recording.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of all Musical Offerings, October 1, 2003

By 

Peter G. Watchorn (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: J.S. Bach: Musical Offering, BWV1079 (Audio CD)

I have owned this recording ever since it was first issued on lp in 1981 (recorded in 1974). First, Gustav Leonhardt's performances of the two ricercare are beyond praise. Second, the performances by the Kuijken brothers and Robert Kohnen of the canons and trio sonata are impeccably expressive and suave. This recording has not been superceded even by the Kuijkens' later one on DHM (on which Kohnen plays the two ricercare as well as all the ensemble pieces). This will probably never be bettered, so buy it while you can. For those interested, the Kuijkens have also made a DVD of the Musical Offering, recorded in Leipzig, a useful supplement to the present release.

The cd doesn't make entirely clear exactly who plays what, so, for your information, taken from the original lp:
Leonhardt plays on tracks 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (with Kohnen). Kohnen plays the rest (including the trio sonata). Highest recommendation.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Bach, April 11, 2001

By 

M. H. Page (S. San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: J.S. Bach: Musical Offering, BWV1079 (Audio CD)

If you're a confirmed Bach-head and lover of contrapuntal music, this is a must recording. Gustav Leonhardt is one of the foremost Bach scholars and master harpsichordists of our time. He and his fellow musicians have given us a beautifully clean and transparent interpretation of Bach's "Musical Offering" to Fredrick the Great. Although this is a re-mastered recording from 1974, it is sonicly very pleasing. Highly recomended.