Johann Sebastian Bach: 6 Brandenburg Concertos / 4 Orchestral Suites - The English Concert / Trevor Pinnock [BOX SET]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Trevor Pinnock (Conductor), The English Concert (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: The English Concert
• Conductor: Trevor Pinnock
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (May 9, 1989)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Archiv Produktion
• ASIN: B0000057D8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #37,844 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best authentic recording of the material., August 4, 1999

By A Customer

For the novice making a Bach purchase, you've come to the place. The Brandenbergs are Bach's most famous and readily enjoyable orchestral works. The main concern of purchasing this productions is if you actually WANT an authentic recording. The strings are Baroque instruments, not modern ones. They sound "thin" compared to modern instruments(preferable, in my opinion). The horns, especially noticeable in the #1 and #2, are Baroque horns without modern valves; the accuracy of the notes is not quite Pinnock quality (i.e.: Perfect). On the other hand, this recording is the authentic standard; I actually prefer the instruments to the modern ones. // The Suites are ADD, but the analog part was recorded in 1980 and is of extremely high reproduction quality. You WILL NOT notice a difference. The Harpsichord Concertos (BWV 1052-1065) recorded by the same group under the same label are ADD, equally high quality, and make a wise follow-up purchase.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sheer musicianship, unending sequence of delights, August 20, 2004

By	Leslie Richford (Selsingen, Lower Saxony) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The idea of a "perfect recording" is, of course, chimerical. But Trevor Pinnock's "Brandenburg Concertos" and "Orchestral Suites" come pretty close to the mark. There are two factors which put this 3-CD set in the category "very special": One is the sheer musicianship of the young English Concert team. Every soloist seems to want to outdo the others in technical skill, tonal clarity and emotional verve. Listen to Pinnock himself on the harpsichord in the Brandenburg Concert No. 5; listen to Lisa Beznosiuk accompanying him on the traverse flute; listen to Simon Standage, Philip Pickett and Rachel Beckett in Concert No. 4 ... and so the list goes on. This is an unending sequence of instrumental delights, and only someone who dislikes Baroque period instruments on principle will fail to experience heights of enjoyment of this exquisite sound. Which brings me to the second factor: Seldom have I heard such a brilliant recording! Deutsche Grammophon is generally known for superior sound, but this 1982 piece of digital engineering (Brandenburg Concertos) surpasses anything I have ever heard even from this label: Purity, clarity, spaciousness and presence are uniquely combined to provide a listening experience which could hardly be topped.

The Orchestral Suite sound (analogue recording from 1979/1980) is only slightly less brilliant and also deserves great praise. I have listened to a number of rival recordings, but nothing captivates me quite like the the English Concert discs. The only slight question mark could perhaps be put behind the Sixth Brandenburg Concerto, which in its Adagio slow movement seems to lack a little fire. Generally, Pinnock has chosen tempi that are moderate, and although musicologists and interpreters since this recording (Goebel; Rampe) have argued cogently for faster rhythms, their efforts sound decidedly contrived in comparison with Pinnock's easy, flowing version which caresses the ear without betraying any of Bach's depth or humour. It would surprise me greatly if anyone who bought this CD-box ever regretted it.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Bach!, January 8, 2001

By	Justin C. Knoepfel (Decorah, IA United States) - See all my reviews

This is the best set of Brandenburg Concertos and Orchestral suites that I have found! Pinnock has a great way of making the music sound how it would have in the Baroque era. Some of the reviews talk about analog and digital. I know exactly what they mean, and you can hardly tell the difference. I don't know if they're playing it off of a $30,000 system or what, but don't be deterred. These recordings are excellent and a must have for your music library!