Bach's Orchestral Music (Brandenburgs, Suites & Concertos)

[dave b]

One of them I'll have to look for, the other is right here--Trevor Pinnock, European Brandenburg Ensemble, Avie LC 11982. A 2 CD set.

The other is a two CD set also, Boston Baroque.
But not having much experience with this (classical music), I value the opinions and recommendations of you folks.

[dave b]

I'm very interested in one recommendation in particular, the Berlin Academy of Ancient Music.

[DavidRoss]

But not having much experience with this (classical music), I value the opinions and recommendations of you folks.

If you haven't done so already you might consider joining Mog or Spotify for $5/mo and Naxos for $20 year.  That'll let you listen to a terrific selection of recordings to discover what you like for yourself without spending a small fortune to acquire numerous recommendations.

I'm very interested in one recommendation in particular, the Berlin Academy of Ancient Music.

They're a little fast and harsh for my tastes today, but there's no debating that it's a good set.

[dave b]

Good idea about joining those sites, will PM you about it in a second.

[TheGSMoeller]

These are two fine performances, but a little warning, don't get both. With the exception of little textural difference, these two are very similar in style and timbre. And almost identical in tempo. Don't get me wrong, this is not a negative comment on them. But I am now myself in the market for another Brandenburg set (seriously closing in on Concerto Italiano on Naive) because I am in need of a bit more variety.

[dave b]

I see where DavidRoss' advice about listening first, then buying or not buying, could come in mighty handy.
I had not realized there were those kinds of differences. I continue to learn....

[Geo Dude]

I would also recommend that Tafelmusik set as a good start, though you can't go wrong with I Barocchisti, either, and the two would make a nice contrast.

In any case, if it helps your decision, the Tafelmusik set is available for an excellent price off the MP:

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[HIPster]

A nice DVD version:

[asin]B000EQHRVA[/asin]

Editorial Reviews
While functioning as Kapellmeister to the court of Prince Leopold, J.S. Bach composed the Baroque masterworks known as the "Brandenburg Concertos." This delightful performance of the orchestral works by the Freiburger Barockorchester takes place in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Cothen, where the composer himself served in the 18th century. 95 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, PCM stereo.

Also - the Abbado recommended above is available as a DVD too, though I have not yet heard (or seen) it.

[DavidRoss]

Whoops...I made a mistake, thinking of Musica Antiqua Köln, not the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, as a bit rushed and harsh in my comment above. 

[HIPster]

Whoops...I made a mistake, thinking of Musica Antiqua Köln, not the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, as a bit rushed and harsh in my comment above.

I hear you, man and do agree with you!

Not MAK's finest moment by any means, though I think that this set does have some merits.  Only a few of the sections are rushed (off the top of my head: #3 and #6 fall prey to some bizarre tempi choices).

Still, I think it is worth hearing and owning.  I recommend this version, for a nice price via the Market Place:
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[kishnevi]

I hear you, man and do agree with you!

Not MAK's finest moment by any means, though I think that this set does have some merits.  Only a few of the sections are rushed (off the top of my head: #3 and #6 fall prey to some bizarre tempi choices).

Still, I think it is worth hearing and owning.  I recommend this version, for a nice price via the Market Place:
[asin]B00004W3IL[/asin]

That was my very first recording of the Brandenburgs, and it was the exact qualities of rapidity and harshness that impressed me then.  In the format I had it, it was probably the original CD release.

One recording I haven't seen mentioned is the English Baroque Soloists,  which I particularly liked.   Gardiner conducts some of the concertos, but with several of the works he just stepped aside and let the EBS play it as a chamber ensemble.

[HIPster]

[quote author=Jeffrey Smith link=topic=21842.msg719753#msg719753 date=1369887242
One recording I haven't seen mentioned is the English Baroque Soloists,  which I particularly liked.   Gardiner conducts some of the concertos, but with several of the works he just stepped aside and let the EBS play it as a chamber ensemble.
[/quote]

High on my list to check out Jeffrey!

Thanks for the mention.  Any other distinguishing features you want to share would be most welcome. 

Thanks!

[Mandryka]

Well, there you go - those qualities are the ones that I find particularly ugly in these works.   A graceful embrace of the music with a light quality, an unhurried but certainly not sluggish, tempo is how I prefer hearing them played.  This was what struck me immediately about the Abbado recording that grabbed my attention.

You may want to try Klemperer's recording of all six concertos with the philharmonia. klemperer had a long long involvement with the Brandenburg concertos, and the philharmonia set is a sort of summit IMO.

[Wakefield]

I hear you, man and do agree with you!

Not MAK's finest moment by any means, though I think that this set does have some merits.  Only a few of the sections are rushed (off the top of my head: #3 and #6 fall prey to some bizarre tempi choices).

Still, I think it is worth hearing and owning.  I recommend this version, for a nice price via the Market Place:
[asin]B00004W3IL[/asin]

Yes, twenty or thirty years ago some of their tempi sounded absolutely bizarre, but after Il Giardino or Fasolis and several others, today MAK sounds quite more conventional. 

[Wakefield]

Well, there you go - those qualities are the ones that I find particularly ugly in these works.   A graceful embrace of the music with a light quality, an unhurried but certainly not sluggish, tempo is how I prefer hearing them played.  This was what struck me immediately about the Abbado recording that grabbed my attention.

Well, you're describing the "old" English way: namely, Pinnock and Hogwood.   

[DavidRoss]

That was my very first recording of the Brandenburgs, and it was the exact qualities of rapidity and harshness that impressed me then.  In the format I had it, it was probably the original CD release.

You know what? I'm doubly confused now about which is which and realize that I need to listen to both MAK and AAMB recordings again -- it's probably been a few years since I last burned out on the Brandenburgs after acquiring Alessandrini and Il Giardino Armonico. Hearing Abbado this past week told me my ears are nearly virgin again and can withstand -- even enjoy -- some prolonged exploration. I'll throw in Savall, too, and my good oldies on LP, Hogwood and Paillard, for a weekend Bachathon!

[Mandryka]

No, I do not like his way with them.  Too stodgy and I do not enjoy the sound of the ensemble.  I do prefer a PI group, just not the (what I perceive as) pretentious effects in the articulation, dynamics and tempo.

That's interesting because I don't hear any stoginess there really. On the contrary I hear lively rhythms and clear textures.

[Mandryka]

Odd.  His tempos are considerably slower than newer, more HIP, recordings - far from lively, IMO, and there is a blandness to the sound of the ensemble that I would not call clear.

I'm not sure about the tempo, I'll check it out when I'm reunited with my record collection. I'll also check the Naxos CD you like.

My own most visited set is probably the Harnoncourt DVD. I think Leonhardt in 5 is also special.

[prémont]

That's interesting because I don't hear any stoginess there really. On the contrary I hear lively rhythms and clear textures.

I completely share Mandryka´s view of these recordings. Klemperer was often better than his rumor.

[prémont]

Well, you're describing the "old" English way: namely, Pinnock and Hogwood.   

Well, the style of Abbado´s second Brandenburg set (the one in question) is not that different from Pinnock´s style, except that modern instruments are used.