Customer Reviews

Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concertos, BWV 1041-1043 - Sigiswald Kuijen / La Petite Bande

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

 

 

This is simply the finest recording of these concertos you will find. Sigiswald Kuijken's violin has a sweet, pure, beautiful sound, and his interpretations have a great deal of expression and depth. When listening to the middle movements you hear a sincerity--perfectly in keeping with their diction--that other recordings merely hint at (or miss altogether, as in the quick, virtuoso but ultimately facile renderings of Manze). If you're choosing your first copy of the Violin Concertos, this could very well be your last.

An elegant and exquisite rendition by fine artists and played on the finest violins - a Grancino (1700) and a Gagliano (1732).
Certainly a 5 star and 10 if there were such.

These are tremendously accomplished performances, the Double Concerto (with Lucy van Dael on second violin) in particular. Throughout, the soloist(s) and orchestra are wonderfully balanced, and they complement each other perfectly in shaping and rhythmically interlocking the musical phrases. This rendition really "jells."

I bought the Kuijen after reading ecstatic reviews; it was a mistake. Kuijen's tone is harsh and the performance is more concerned with playing at top speed rather than lyricism. After listening to this CD, I played Heifetz' recording and was stunned by the contrast; Heifetz's tone and musicallity are mesmerizing. Avoid the Kuijen at all costs.