Orchestral Suites for a Young Prince

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Sonnerie (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Sonnerie
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (July 14, 2009)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Avie
• ASIN: B0021YMYHA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #109,921 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066

2. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067

3. Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068

4. Orchestral Suite No. 4 in D major, BWV 1069

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Light, articulate, and very listenable, July 29, 2010

By 

Biberfan "Fan of Biber" (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Bach: Orchestral Suites for a Young Prince (MP3 Download)

In their latest releases, the ensemble under Monica Huggett referred to as "Sonnerie" is getting riper and finding themselves on the top tier of historically-informed ensembles. Their smaller ensemble reading of the Bach violin concertos was nice, and this release, of Bach's Orchestral Suites, is even stronger.

First, my favorite work is the so-called Second Orchestral Suite, BWV 1067, for flute and strings. Here, Sonnerie makes the case for this being an oboe suite, and it works well. Their smaller numbers in this release - all "re-arrangements for smaller forces) allows them to take some toe-tapping, brisk paces. A couple of times it may make you sit upright, exclaiming "Whoa!" but they pull it off convincingly.

Playing is well throughout, but especially that nimble oboe. My only gripe is that the famous "Air" in the third suite was not played by a solo violin. The piece is ripe for ornamentation which isn't as practical with more than one player per part.

The last suite drops the trumpets and timpani, and you can hear them in your head. The pieces still work, and for one, I enjoyed hearing these alternative versions. Fine playing. If you think you know Bach's suites, you'll enjoy these all the more for all the right things they do with this music. This release helped me better appreciate Bach's suites, BWV 1066-1069.

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Bach!, September 5, 2011

By 

jao - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Orchestral Suites for a Young Prince (Audio CD)

First rate musical scholarship and detective work in the notes, followed by stellar musicianship in the performances. And a great story to boot. Bravissimo!