Recommendations please for JS Bach’s Orchestral Suites

[aligreto]

As I have only recently joined this forum I am obviously encountering new people who are exposing me to their experiences, knowledge and tastes. With this in mind I would like to explore your recommendations for a number of works in my collection. I am open-minded with regard to performance practice, conductor interpretation, old or new recordings, CD or vinyl etc. What I am interested in is a "good performance" of a given work, whatever your interpretation of that is. So, with this in mind I am, to start with, seeking your recommendations for performances of JS Bach's Orchestral Suites.

The list below comprises the different versions in my collection....

Busch - Busch Chamber Players [EMI]
Dart - Philomusica of London [L'Oiseau Lyre]
Gardiner – English Baroque Soloists [Erato]
Goebel - Musica Antiqua Koln [Archiv Prod.]
Harnoncourt - Concentus musicus Wien [Teldec]
Hogwood - Academy of Ancient Music [Decca]
Kuijken - La Petite Bande [DHM]
Munchinger - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester [Decca]
Freiburger Barockorchester [Harmonia Mundi]
Pearlman - Boston Baroque [Telarc]

One set that I would definitely like to get is that by Café Zimmermann.

If this has been done already then I would be obliged if you could please point me in the direction of that thread.

[Pat B]

I don't know if there's a thread specifically about the Suites, but they are discussed extensively here.

Probably every set will be somebody's favorite and somebody else's least favorite. You have a lot of people's favorites already!

I only own 2 sets: Harnoncourt from the '60s (he redid them in the '80s, which I haven't heard; both recordings were with the CMW and on Teldec) and Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. I'm sure I've heard parts of others here or there, but I'm in no position to make a recommendation to somebody who already has 9, other than to say that I like both of the ones I have, and that I was surprised at how conventional the Harnoncourt sounds. The Akamus is excellent, but I can't promise that it offers anything that you don't get from the ones you already have.

Cafe Zimmerman's concerto set is wildly popular around here (I haven't heard it). I didn't know they did the suites.

[aligreto]

I don't know if there's a thread specifically about the Suites, but they are discussed extensively here.

Probably every set will be somebody's favorite and somebody else's least favorite. You have a lot of people's favorites already!

I only own 2 sets: Harnoncourt from the '60s (he redid them in the '80s, which I haven't heard; both recordings were with the CMW and on Teldec) and Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. I'm sure I've heard parts of others here or there, but I'm in no position to make a recommendation to somebody who already has 9, other than to say that I like both of the ones I have, and that I was surprised at how conventional the Harnoncourt sounds. The Akamus is excellent, but I can't promise that it offers anything that you don't get from the ones you already have.

Cafe Zimmerman's concerto set is wildly popular around here (I haven't heard it). I didn't know they did the suites.

Thank you for your reply and the link. I will read it with interest.
It is interesting that you mention Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and that is a suggestion that I may well follow up as I like that ensemble.

Yes, indeed, that Café Zimmermann set apparently does include the Orchestral Suites and sure does seem to be a set to own.

[HIPster]

Hello aligreto!

I see that you already have a nice collection of Bach's Orchestral Suites.  The 6 CD set by Cafe Zimmermann is a real wonder in all regards: the music is excellent, the liner notes are well-written and very interesting and the box itself is pretty sturdy overall.  As a Bach lover myself, I highly recommend this set!   

Cafe Zimmermann
[asin]B005IQXUQW[/asin]

I also very much like the single-disc performance by Monica Huggett and Ensemble Sonnerie.  This release is notable, in that the usual trumpet  in Suite #2 is replaced by an oboe (played beautifully by Gonzalo X. Ruiz) and also the percussion is omitted.  Huggett makes a convincing argument for these decisions in her liner notes.  My one reservation with this disc, is that I feel that the sound is a bit too closed-in; I'd prefer a bit more breathing room overall.  Still, the performance is really quite lovely throughout.  This one is unique enough to warrant an addition to your collection.

Ensemble Sonnerie
[asin]B0021YMYHA[/asin]

Another single-disc version that I would urge you to look into, is by Diego Fasolis and his group I Barocchisti.  They deliver a very exciting version of the Suites that pretty much crackles with energy.  Superb sonics on this one too.

I Barocchisti
[asin]B000E8M20O[/asin]

One set which rarely seems to get mentioned is the one by Andrew Manze and La Stravaganze Koln.  Forum member Gordo turned me on to this version and it is a strong reading.  It's on the Brilliant label and so I advise you to look around for various editions with regard to the best pricing, as Brilliant releases often have multiple release versions (at least in the States I've seen this).  One version of this set has it coupled with Belder's Brandenburg Concertos - so 4 discs in total.  This is the edition I have and it is a nice budget set to own.

La Stravaganze Koln
[asin]B000HJNA3S[/asin]

With regard to the 2 CD release by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, I am not as thrilled with their Suites as I am with their release of the Brandenburg Concertos.  I cannot really put a solid finger on exactly why here, but whenever I would play them, I had a strong urge to press the "stop" button on the player!  An odd quirk of my own surely, but I mention it since that group has been referenced already.  I should also add that AfAM Berlin's release of the Brandenburg Concertos receives my top recommendation for those works!   

Happy hunting!  Please keep us posted here in this thread and elsewhere, as you continue your explorations.

Cheers!

[mc ukrneal]

Hello aligreto!

I see that you already have a nice collection of Bach's Orchestral Suites.  The 6 CD set by Cafe Zimmermann is a real wonder in all regards: the music is excellent, the liner notes are well-written and very interesting and the box itself is pretty sturdy overall.  As a Bach lover myself, I highly recommend this set!   

Cafe Zimmermann
[asin]B005IQXUQW[/asin]

I also very much like the single-disc performance by Monica Huggett and Ensemble Sonnerie.  This release is notable, in that the usual trumpet  in Suite #2 is replaced by an oboe (played beautifully by Gonzalo X. Ruiz) and also the percussion is omitted.  Huggett makes a convincing argument for these decisions in her liner notes.  My one reservation with this disc, is that I feel that the sound is a bit too closed-in; I'd prefer a bit more breathing room overall.  Still, the performance is really quite lovely throughout.  This one is unique enough to warrant an addition to your collection.

Ensemble Sonnerie
[asin]B0021YMYHA[/asin]

Another single-disc version that I would urge you to look into, is by Diego Fasolis and his group I Barocchisti.  They deliver a very exciting version of the Suites that pretty much crackles with energy.  Superb sonics on this one too.

I Barocchisti
[asin]B000E8M20O[/asin]

One set which rarely seems to get mentioned is the one by Andrew Manze and La Stravaganze Koln.  Forum member Gordo turned me on to this version and it is a strong reading.  It's on the Brilliant label and so I advise you to look around for various editions with regard to the best pricing, as Brilliant releases often have multiple release versions (at least in the States I've seen this).  One version of this set has it coupled with Belder's Brandenburg Concertos - so 4 discs in total.  This is the edition I have and it is a nice budget set to own.

La Stravaganze Koln
[asin]B000HJNA3S[/asin]

With regard to the 2 CD release by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, I am not as thrilled with their Suites as I am with their release of the Brandenburg Concertos.  I cannot really put a solid finger on exactly why here, but whenever I would play them, I had a strong urge to press the "stop" button on the player!  An odd quirk of my own surely, but I mention it since that group has been referenced already.  I should also add that AfAM Berlin's release of the Brandenburg Concertos receives my top recommendation for those works!   

Happy hunting!  Please keep us posted here in this thread and elsewhere, as you continue your explorations.

Cheers!

Pat B is correct - for every rec, there will be an opposite view. There are many good orchestral suites, but I find the cafe zimmerman too prissy. The best thing about them is their rhythms, which are very precise. But you can hear them on youtube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FKuJTT4xUk and decide for yourself.

The Fasolis can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb6KIGt_yYo. I like this one more.

[HIPster]

A couple of incomplete releases ~

Pierre Hantai/Le Concert Francais
[asin]B000GW8BA8[/asin]
I just finished re-listening to this disc and it is excellent.  Suites #1 and #4, along with BWV 1017, Sonata for violin and harpsichord and the Sinfonia from BWV 21.

Hopefully Hantai will release another, companion disc in the near future.

Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
[asin]B00005RT5L[/asin]
Suites #1 and #2, combined with the Sinfonia from BWV 42 and the harpsichord concerto BWV 1053.  Great sound on this one (Linn Records).

[aligreto]

Hello aligreto!


I also very much like the single-disc performance by Monica Huggett and Ensemble Sonnerie.  This release is notable, in that the usual trumpet  in Suite #2 is replaced by an oboe (played beautifully by Gonzalo X. Ruiz) and also the percussion is omitted.  Huggett makes a convincing argument for these decisions in her liner notes.  My one reservation with this disc, is that I feel that the sound is a bit too closed-in; I'd prefer a bit more breathing room overall.  Still, the performance is really quite lovely throughout.  This one is unique enough to warrant an addition to your collection.

Ensemble Sonnerie
[asin]B0021YMYHA[/asin]

Another single-disc version that I would urge you to look into, is by Diego Fasolis and his group I Barocchisti.  They deliver a very exciting version of the Suites that pretty much crackles with energy.  Superb sonics on this one too.

I Barocchisti
[asin]B000E8M20O[/asin]

One set which rarely seems to get mentioned is the one by Andrew Manze and La Stravaganze Koln.  Forum member Gordo turned me on to this version and it is a strong reading.  It's on the Brilliant label and so I advise you to look around for various editions with regard to the best pricing, as Brilliant releases often have multiple release versions (at least in the States I've seen this).  One version of this set has it coupled with Belder's Brandenburg Concertos - so 4 discs in total.  This is the edition I have and it is a nice budget set to own.

La Stravaganze Koln
[asin]B000HJNA3S[/asin]

With regard to the 2 CD release by the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, I am not as thrilled with their Suites as I am with their release of the Brandenburg Concertos.  I cannot really put a solid finger on exactly why here, but whenever I would play them, I had a strong urge to press the "stop" button on the player!  An odd quirk of my own surely, but I mention it since that group has been referenced already.  I should also add that AfAM Berlin's release of the Brandenburg Concertos receives my top recommendation for those works!   

Happy hunting!  Please keep us posted here in this thread and elsewhere, as you continue your explorations.

Cheers!

Thank you for the recommendations.

I fancy the Huggett one for two reasons; firstly I like her playing and have attended some of her performances over the years here in Dublin and secondly that interpretation of No. 2 seems very different!

I have only recently "discovered" Fasolis and very much liked what I have heard. I will certainly check that one out also.

Interesting also on the Manze; I will look into that as well.

Thank you again.

[aligreto]

Pat B is correct - for every rec, there will be an opposite view. There are many good orchestral suites, but I find the cafe zimmerman too prissy. The best thing about them is their rhythms, which are very precise. But you can hear them on youtube, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FKuJTT4xUk and decide for yourself.

The Fasolis can be heard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jb6KIGt_yYo. I like this one more.

Thank you very much for those links; they are very useful and I will listen in later to hear what is on offer.

[aligreto]

A couple of incomplete releases ~

Pierre Hantai/Le Concert Francais
[asin]B000GW8BA8[/asin]
I just finished re-listening to this disc and it is excellent.  Suites #1 and #4, along with BWV 1017, Sonata for violin and harpsichord and the Sinfonia from BWV 21.

Hopefully Hantai will release another, companion disc in the near future.

Norwegian Baroque Orchestra
[asin]B00005RT5L[/asin]
Suites #1 and #2, combined with the Sinfonia from BWV 42 and the harpsichord concerto BWV 1053.  Great sound on this one (Linn Records).

Thank you once again for those recommendations. I would not be at all familiar with either ensembles or directors so something totally new there.

[prémont]

There are so many fine recordings of these Works, and it is indeed hard to choose. My own favorite BTW is the one with

the Linde Consort conducted/led by Hans Martin-Linde.

It was released for the first time in the 1980es on LP by EMI on the Reflexe series, but it has also been rereleased on CD in the Reflexe series. A worthy companion to the same ensemble´s recording of the Brandenburg concertos.

[aligreto]

There are so many fine recordings of these Works, and it is indeed hard to choose. My own favorite BTW is the one with

the Linde Consort conducted/led by Hans Martin-Linde.

It was released for the first time in the 1980es on LP by EMI on the Reflexe series, but it has also been rereleased on CD in the Reflexe series. A worthy companion to the same ensemble´s recording of the Brandenburg concertos.

Oh thank you for that. One of the very first CDs that I ever bought was the Hans Martin-Linde version of the Brandenburg concertos and I still give it a listen occasionally. I would love to hear the Orchestral Suites by these forces so that one will definitely be added to the List!

[kishnevi]

I got Linde on the cheap CD rack in Best Buy of all places.
This is the version I have

[aligreto]

I got Linde on the cheap CD rack in Best Buy of all places.
This is the version I have

....and do you also like the performances?

[kishnevi]

....and do you also like the performances?

Yes.  But bear in mind that when it comes to the "Overtüren" I don't have much of a preference in terms of most liked performance.

[Que]

I have Harnoncourt II and the Linde Consort, which I find very good indeed.

Q

[psu]

I have this one:

(Spivakov)

and this one:

[asin]B0000041CV[/asin] (Marriner)

I like them both.

[aligreto]

Yes.  But bear in mind that when it comes to the "Overtüren" I don't have much of a preference in terms of most liked performance.

Thank you for that; I will definitely seek to purchase it.

[aligreto]

I have Harnoncourt II and the Linde Consort, which I find very good indeed.

Q

Thank you, and another Linde Consort recommendation.

[aligreto]

I have this one:

(Spivakov)

I have not come across Spivakov or the Moscow Virtuosi before and that alone is good enough reason for me to investigate further; thank you.

[aukhawk]

I certainly like Huggett - I think ditching the trumpets is a huge improvement.
Cafe Zimmerman are highly recommendable generally but I don't think the Suites are best-served by their spare and springy style - and of course they are spread across at least 4 CDs.

I don't think Suzuki has been mentioned - these are velvety-smooth, a complete antidote to the spikier renderings.
[asin]B002KD0OP6[/asin]