JS Bach Orchestral Suites Recommendations

[aligreto]

I have the following versions of the Bach Orchestral Suites in my collection....

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


Have I omitted any version that should be considered?
What recommendations would you have for these works?

I also have a number of performances of individual suites but for this purpose I am more interested in a complete cycle.

As you can see from the above list I am open to suggestions on performances which may or may not be on period instruments. I am interested in good performance and interpretation.

If there is already a relevant existing thread please point me in the right direction as I have looked and cannot seem to find one.

[Jo498]

Malloch/Boston early music soloists: "Suites for Dancing" (Koch, rec. 1989)

these are quite different from anyone else I have heard (although I am sure that by now there are similarly uncoventional ones): only one string player per part yielding rather different balances and some rather quirky tempi (uncommonly fast "slow" sections of the ouvertures)

And for a very good "central" HIP reading Akademie fuer alte Musik Berlin (although these are probably not all that different from what you have).

Marriner and Leppard are good for zippy and well-played modern instruments.

[Turner]

Max Pommer & Bach Collegium Leipzig - check them out.

Also fantastic Brandenburg Concertos, Kunst der Fuge + some solo concertos, plus Händel Concerti Grossi op.3 & 6 not at least.

I´ve got Rilling,OregonBachFestO/hänssler, Marriner,AcStM/decca, Richter,MünchenBachO & Scherchen,WstOP/gloria as well.

[prémont]

Busch - Busch Chamber Players [EMI]
Dart - Philomusica of London [L'Oiseau Lyre]
Fasolis - Barocchisti [Arts]
Gardiner English Baroque Soloists[Erato]
Goebel - Musica Antiqua Koln [Archiv Prod.]
Harnoncourt - Concentus musicus Wien [Teldec]
Hogwood - Academy of Ancient Music [Decca]
Huggett - Ensemble Sonnerie [Avie]
Munchinger - Stuttgarter Kammerorchester [Decca]
Pearlman - Boston Baroque [Telarc]
Kuijken - La Petite Bande [DHM]
]Linde - Linde Consort [DHM]***
Pinnock - English Consort [DG] first recording I suppose?
Freiburger Barockorchester [Harmonia Mundi]


Have I omitted any version that should be considered?
What recommendations would you have for these works?

Of the ca. 60 versions I own, you have got my favorites, which I have made black.

Malloch would be an unusual but stimulating addition. It is very dancing.

Other worthwile additions might be

Pickett (L´Oiseau Lyre)
or
Goodman (Hyperion)
or
Manze (Denon), one time part of the Brilliant complete Bach box..

But I cannot say, that they are "better" than the ones, you already have.
But you may of course be a completist to come. 

[aligreto]

Malloch/Boston early music soloists: "Suites for Dancing" (Koch, rec. 1989)

these are quite different from anyone else I have heard (although I am sure that by now there are similarly uncoventional ones): only one string player per part yielding rather different balances and some rather quirky tempi (uncommonly fast "slow" sections of the ouvertures)

And for a very good "central" HIP reading Akademie fuer alte Musik Berlin (although these are probably not all that different from what you have).

Marriner and Leppard are good for zippy and well-played modern instruments.

You have piqued my interest regarding the Malloch/Boston early music soloists. I will definitely check that one out.
I also have and like a few Leppard directed performances so another one to look at as is your recommendation on Marriner. Thank you for those suggestions.

[aligreto]

Max Pommer & Bach Collegium Leipzig - check them out.

Also fantastic Brandenburg Concertos, Kunst der Fuge + some solo concertos, plus Händel Concerti Grossi op.3 & 6 not at least.

I´ve got Rilling,OregonBachFestO/hänssler, Marriner,AcStM/decca, Richter,MünchenBachO & Scherchen,WstOP/gloria as well.

I do not know of Max Pommer at all so thank you for that.

[aligreto]

Of the ca. 60 versions I own, you have got my favorites, which I have made black.

Malloch would be an unusual but stimulating addition. It is very dancing.

Other worthwile additions might be

Pickett (L´Oiseau Lyre)
or
Goodman (Hyperion)
or
Manze (Denon), one time part of the Brilliant complete Bach box..

But I cannot say, that they are "better" than the ones, you already have.
But you may of course be a completist to come. 

Another Malloch recommendation!
Thank you for your other suggestions.

[amw]

One not mentioned yet is Café Zimmermann's set of Bach orchestral works, which includes the Suites as well as all of the authentic concertos. I haven't heard the ones you list so I don't know if they would bring anything new, but I like them.

[Turner]

I do not know of Max Pommer at all so thank you for that.

The 3rd Suite is the highlight of that set, IMO.

[aligreto]

One not mentioned yet is Café Zimmermann's set of Bach orchestral works, which includes the Suites as well as all of the authentic concertos. I haven't heard the ones you list so I don't know if they would bring anything new, but I like them.

Thank you for that; I do not have any of their performances so I should really investigate that set.

[aligreto]

The 3rd Suite is the highlight of that set, IMO.

Thank you for your continued endorsement of that one.

[aukhawk]

One not mentioned yet is Café Zimmermann's set of Bach orchestral works, which includes the Suites as well as all of the authentic concertos. I haven't heard the ones you list so I don't know if they would bring anything new, but I like them.

I'd like to say Cafe Zimmermann but I think actually they excel in everything but the Orchestral Suites.  All the concertros (Brandenburg or otherwise) are wonderful, but the Suites to my ears, a little clumsy.

For the Orchestral Suites I'd add into the mix, Il Fondamento led by Paul Dombrecht (Fuga Libera)

[prémont]

For the Orchestral Suites I'd add into the mix, Il Fondamento led by Paul Dombrecht (Fuga Libera)

For the recording some kind of presumed original versions are used. Rather interesting.

[aligreto]

I'd like to say Cafe Zimmermann but I think actually they excel in everything but the Orchestral Suites.  All the concertros (Brandenburg or otherwise) are wonderful, but the Suites to my ears, a little clumsy.

For the Orchestral Suites I'd add into the mix, Il Fondamento led by Paul Dombrecht (Fuga Libera)

Interesting comment on the Cafe Zimmermann version of the Suites.
Thank you for the Il Fondamento/Dombrecht recommendation.

[aligreto]

For the recording some kind of presumed original versions are used. Rather interesting.

OK, interesting; thank you for the information.

[SonicMan46]

TTT after 9 years!  Now listening to my 'limited' versions (top 3 only with Suzuki added 14 years ago!) Looking on Amazon and see some recordings not mentioned - added only 3 at the bottom.  I'm happy w/ the 'few' owned but curious what 'newer' purchases have been made by others, and what might be your top 3 performances in these works?  Thanks - Dave

   

   

[Spotted Horses]

TTT after 9 years!  Now listening to my 'limited' versions (top 3 only with Suzuki added 14 years ago!) Looking on Amazon and see some recordings not mentioned - added only 3 at the bottom.  I'm happy w/ the 'few' owned but curious what 'newer' purchases have been made by others, and what might be your top 3 performances in these works?  Thanks - Dave

   

   

Savall! (And Harnoncourt.)

[Jo498]

Malloch "Suites for dancing" because of its seemingly crazy tempi for the "slow" introductory sections of the ouvertures and one instrument per part. He was the pioneer in that and it really has a special flair, not sure if later ones followed along. (The music is not among my favorites, so am content with a few recordings don't keep up with more recent recordings.)
Malloch is probably still my favorite overall in the C major because the sound of suites 3+4 with trumpets is really  different with so few strings.

However, I think in my favorite, the b minor flute suite, I prefer Musica antiqua Köln (DG/Archiv) who also have one instrument per part here (not in the others where they use a fairly big ensemble) for more flexibility and expression. (MAK are not nearly as fast/relentless in the suites as they are in some Brandenburg movements.)



On modern instruments I like Leppard, although less than his Brandenburgs and less in the flute suite that basically sounds too big for me with full orchestra.

[DavidW]

Dave, I love the Dunedin/Butt.  However, there is another one to consider!  My favorite:

[SonicMan46]

Dave, I love the Dunedin/Butt.  However, there is another one to consider!  My favorite:

 

Hi David - thanks for the Kuijken recommendation (own a lot of him w/ his band) but not cheap (20 Euros at JPC cheapest I could find) - so put together a Spotify playlist (inserted above) w/ Kuijken, Butt, Savall, & the Freiburgers - will be listening over the next few days - Dave