Recordings That You Are Considering

[Antoine Marchand]

I have the Collectors edition version and I LOVE it!!

It's excellent, indeed. But this new set is even better because it includes the cantatas recorded by Gardiner on Archiv (not his new cycle on Soli Deo Gloria). The Collector's Edition has 9 discs, this one 22. 

[stingo]

What's the collectors edition version? The complete one?

[Antoine Marchand]

What's the collectors edition version? The complete one?

Picture 1: Collector's Edition (9 CDs)

Picture 2: New set (22 CDs). It includes all discs of the Collector's Edition set.

Product Description on Amazon

CD Description

Gardiner's acclaimed readings of the major Bach choral works are joined by 12 CDs of equally distinguished recordings of Bach cantatas, from Gardiner's famous "pilgrimage" in 2000, plus the "Magnificat" and "Cantata no. 51".

Included in this 22 disc special release: the classic recordings of the "Christmas Oratorio", the "St. Matthew Passion", the "St. John Passion" and the "Mass in B minor"; a wide selection of 37 cantatas, odes and motets covering the whole church year and other occasions, and including favourites such as "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland", "Wachet auf", "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben", and "Ich habe genug". Vocal soloists include Nancy Argenta, Olaf Bär, Barbara Bonney, Michael Chance, Bernarda Fink, Magdalena Kožená Derek Lee Ragin, Sara Mingardo, Anne Sofie von Otter, Mark Padmore, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Andreas Schmidt and Stephen Varcoe, along with The Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists.

In addition, sung texts and translations (German, English, French) are available through a weblink, details of which are found in the accompanying booklet. Released in limited edition classic capbox packaging, with striking cover and 32-page booklet including full tracklists.

[stingo]

Ah ok got it. Thanks. I think the newer set will be perfect for me - a great overview of the cantatas and of course the Passions etc.

[Antoine Marchand]

BTW, the price of the new set is $44.77 ($38.10 ex. VAT) on MDT (a "special offer"). 

[Opus106]

Does anyone know the work adorns the cover of the new edition? It has always appeared to me like Buddha (!) but I suppose there is a chance that it could be Bach ().

[stingo]

Already ordered my (22 CD) set from MDT - looked like too good a deal to pass up.

[George]

Does anyone know the work adorns the cover of the new edition? It has always appeared to me like Buddha (!) but I suppose there is a chance that it could be Bach ().

Or Charlie Chan. 

[Coopmv]

I have the Collectors edition version and I LOVE it!!

I will have to pass since I have most of the individual recordings already.  But this set just arrived a few days ago and is still in shrink-wrap.

[kishnevi]

Any opininions about this recordings?

Excellent non-HIP version, if you need a non-HIP version of the Water Music.
If you don't, well, there's plenty of other music he wrote that hasn't received fifteen hundred different recordings

[mc ukrneal]

Excellent non-HIP version, if you need a non-HIP version of the Water Music.
If you don't, well, there's plenty of other music he wrote that hasn't received fifteen hundred different recordings

By non-HIP, do you mean modern instruments here?

[jlaurson]

By non-HIP, do you mean modern instruments here?

Not only that (which should be obvious, given it's the Orpheus Ensemble). But aesthetic standards that aim for beauty, rather than 'authenticity'. But it's not a soup, either... these guys were ahead of the non-HIP crowd with their chamber ensemble approach to the likes of Handel and Haydn. All their recordings, I find, hold up very well.

[Lethevich]

All their recordings, I find, hold up very well.

Indeedie - their Haydn has the same spark as some of the best HIP performances.

[stingo]

MDT just shipped the 22 disc set to me. Can't wait!

[SonicMan46]

Not only that (which should be obvious, given it's the Orpheus Ensemble). But aesthetic standards that aim for beauty, rather than 'authenticity'. But it's not a soup, either... these guys were ahead of the non-HIP crowd with their chamber ensemble approach to the likes of Handel and Haydn. All their recordings, I find, hold up very well.

Certainly agree w/ Jens, I've been buying the Orpheus Chamber Orch from their start as a 'conductor-less' group - saw them live years ago and still recall the experience.

I own that 3-CD set of Handel's VERY popular works, which must be part of a collection of this composer, but there is plenty more enjoyable Handel to explore (instrumental and vocal), so don't stop there! 

BTW, my most recent addition of these Handel 'war horses' is the version w/ Jordi Savall and gang (shown below) - this is a demonstration 'knock-out' recording - might be overboard for some, but hey Jordi never seems to go half way in this performances - 

[Renfield]

BTW, my most recent addition of these Handel 'war horses' is the version w/ Jordi Savall and gang (shown below) - this is a demonstration 'knock-out' recording - might be overboard for some, but hey Jordi never seems to go half way in this performances - 

I heard them live in that programme last summer in the EIF, and can only agree.

Savall even signed my copy of that recording, which I picked up that night.

[Coopmv]

Excellent non-HIP version, if you need a non-HIP version of the Water Music.
If you don't, well, there's plenty of other music he wrote that hasn't received fifteen hundred different recordings

IMO, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is far superior to the Boston Baroque.  So non-HIP ensembles are not necessarily bad ...

[Coopmv]

Certainly agree w/ Jens, I've been buying the Orpheus Chamber Orch from their start as a 'conductor-less' group - saw them live years ago and still recall the experience.

I own that 3-CD set of Handel's VERY popular works, which must be part of a collection of this composer, but there is plenty more enjoyable Handel to explore (instrumental and vocal), so don't stop there! 

BTW, my most recent addition of these Handel 'war horses' is the version w/ Jordi Savall and gang (shown below) - this is a demonstration 'knock-out' recording - might be overboard for some, but hey Jordi never seems to go half way in this performances - 

I have the Savall's Handel Water Music as well.  I own the following set by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, which provided some very polished performance on modern instruments on what I believe to be the best orchestral pieces composed by Handel ...

[rubio]

I consider getting some of the Handel Organ Concertos. Should I go for Pinnock/Preston or Egarr? The first set is complete, while Egarr lack the last two concertos (14 + 15).

   

[Que]

I consider getting some of the Handel Organ Concertos. Should I go for Pinnock/Preston or Egarr? The first set is complete, while Egarr lack the last two concertos (14 + 15).

I would also consider Koopman, which is complete and a great deal with three discs with harpsichord suites by Ross & Baumont, and prefer him to Pinnock. Haven't heard Egarr.



Q