Customer Reviews

Orchestral Suites for a Young Prince

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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.

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