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

[CB45]

My vote goes to the Adolf Busch Players, recorded in 1935-6 - with Rudolf Serkin splendidly vivacious in the fifth concerto (a Desert Island Discs choice for me).

[aligreto]

My vote goes to the Adolf Busch Players, recorded in 1935-6 - with Rudolf Serkin splendidly vivacious in the fifth concerto (a Desert Island Discs choice for me).

Envigourating and joyful performances indeed.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

I would probably give Egarr the edge, although I haven't seen a recommendation here that I couldn't live with.
Busch, too, is fabulous, but obviously, the sound and style betray its age.

Here are a few links to previous writings about varioud BB's that might be of some interest:



Richard Egarr's Brandenburg Concertos

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/07/egarrs-brandenburg-concertos.html


Adolf Busch's Brandenburg Concertos

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/07/adolf-buschs-brandenburg-concertos.html


Dip Your Ears, No. 122 (Kuijken's Third Brandenburgs)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2012/07/dip-your-ears-no-122-kuijkens-third.html


Bach, Brandenburg Concertos, Jordi Savall
(Best Recordings of 2010 (# 8))

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2010/12/best-recordings-of-2010-8.html


Trever Pinnock: Bach Again, at 61

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/12/trever-pinnock-bach-again-at-61.html


Dip Your Ears, No. 75 (Loussier's Brandenburgs)

http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2007/01/dip-your-ears-no-75.html

[milk]

I was comparing Alessandrini today with Suzuki, Zimmerman and the last Kuijken. I can't say I've been able to warm to Kuijken: very slow, pastoral, and much reverberation in the sound. Actually, I found I enjoyed Alessandrini the most today - although I haven't been listening from beginning to end. He's very warm and graceful.
Reminds me, has anyone listened to this:

?

[milk]

It's eye-opening for me to understand how a direction for a performance or recording is established. Rinaldo Alessandrini's ideas about Bach and his relation to Italian music (and his music in general) are also interesting. 
https://www.youtube.com/v/me-7nes9CEg&t=541s

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Reminds me, has anyone listened to this:

?

Yes.



#morninglistening to #Bach w/concertoItaliano & RinaldoAlessandrini on @naiverecords

http://a-fwd.to/6nyG7iI

#GoldbergVariations for small ensemble. #HIP -yet- totally unorthodox + #Passacaglia

♡♡♡ #classicalmusic #classicalmusiccollection

I thought it was a LOT of fun, but not perhaps so outstanding as to merit a review (from my perspective). A good GoldbergVariationVariation; a bit more HIP-esque in sound (if not conception) than the Sitkovetsky version.

[milk]

Yes.



#morninglistening to #Bach w/concertoItaliano & RinaldoAlessandrini on @naiverecords

http://a-fwd.to/6nyG7iI

#GoldbergVariations for small ensemble. #HIP -yet- totally unorthodox + #Passacaglia

♡♡♡ #classicalmusic #classicalmusiccollection

I thought it was a LOT of fun, but not perhaps so outstanding as to merit a review (from my perspective). A good GoldbergVariationVariation; a bit more HIP-esque in sound (if not conception) than the Sitkovetsky version.

Thanks. I'm trying to keep my wallet glued shut for a little while longer.

[Mandryka]

plus two more volumes

The sound quality of these  recordings  from Hakkinen (helped out by Hantai) is wonderful.

16' harpsichord, 1 to a part ensemble.

971 (sounding very good to me!) and 1057, but no 1049!

[milk]

Maybe I'm getting soft. I like this version even though it's fairly straightforward. I like the tastefulness of the strings here as well as the "sizing." What's out there for competition on the piano besides Gould. Other more recent offerings I mean. 

[prémont]

plus two more volumes


971 (sounding very good to me!) and 1057, but no 1049!

1059??

[prémont]

Maybe I'm getting soft. I like this version even though it's fairly straightforward. I like the tastefulness of the strings here as well as the "sizing." What's out there for competition on the piano besides Gould. Other more recent offerings I mean.

If you look here, you will find a handful. I have not heard them.

https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/works/21352--bach-j-s-keyboard-concerto-no-1-in-d-minor-bwv1052/browse?size=10&view=large

[milk]

If you look here, you will find a handful. I have not heard them.

https://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/classical/works/21352--bach-j-s-keyboard-concerto-no-1-in-d-minor-bwv1052/browse?size=10&view=large

Thanks. I didn't realize Hewitt did them.

[SurprisedByBeauty]

Thanks. I didn't realize Hewitt did them.

I've considerably cooled on Hewitt over the years, but those recordings are still very much top-notch, to my ears! Helps to have the Australian CO, for sure:

http://ionarts.blogspot.co.at/2005/07/dip-your-ears-no-39.html

[milk]

I've considerably cooled on Hewitt over the years, but those recordings are still very much top-notch, to my ears! Helps to have the Australian CO, for sure:

http://ionarts.blogspot.co.at/2005/07/dip-your-ears-no-39.html

I don't listen to her much anymore either but I'm going to get this.

[Mandryka]

What's out there for competition on the piano besides Gould. Other more recent offerings I mean.

Zoltan Kocsis/Albert Simon/Franz Liszt Music Academy.

[milk]

I've considerably cooled on Hewitt over the years, but those recordings are still very much top-notch, to my ears! Helps to have the Australian CO, for sure:

http://ionarts.blogspot.co.at/2005/07/dip-your-ears-no-39.html

What annoys me about Hewitt's concertos is how much she plays with dynamics. Tristano really resists that. Bravo for Tristano. Maybe many pianists cannot resist the temptation. I can't take the Hewitt.

[Baron Scarpia]

I've considerably cooled on Hewitt over the years, but those recordings are still very much top-notch, to my ears! Helps to have the Australian CO, for sure:

Hewitt holding steady for me.

For the concerti, I also like Garilov

[asin]B00002ZZ59[/asin]

Didn't like Schiff/Decca.

[milk]

Zoltan Kocsis/Albert Simon/Franz Liszt Music Academy.

samples doing good

[Josquin13]

1. David Fray's single CD is very recommendable, and easily my current favorite among piano recordings (but unfortunately he hasn't recorded all of the concertos):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyLYtBLIOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8STlfXWKfVI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxBQwwiBu1Q

[asin] B001GXY92U[/asin]

Among complete sets, Andrei Gavrilov's set is brilliant, but more on the romantic side than either Fray or Tristano.

Andrea Bacchetti's recent set is worthwhile too, but I'd advise you to sample it first, to see how you feel about his ornamentation:

[asin]B01913UQQO[/asin]

Gould is Gould, and his playing is wonderful, but the orchestra sounds like they're playing Vaughn Williams in the slow movements.  Gould was keenly interested in the period movement in the years before he died, and IMO would have recorded these concertos differently, if he'd had another go at them.

2. On harpsichord, I'd recommend the following complete set, played on antique harpsichords, with a reduced ensemble: which is ideal, as the harpsichord part doesn't get drowned out in the mix:

[asin]B00285QBXK[/asin]

Among larger ensemble recordings (with the harpsichord closely miked so it can be heard), Ton Koopman's set with the Amsterdam Baroque Soloists is excellent.

[milk]

1. David Fray's single CD is very recommendable, and easily my current favorite among piano recordings (but unfortunately he hasn't recorded all of the concertos):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRyLYtBLIOE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8STlfXWKfVI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxBQwwiBu1Q

[asin] B001GXY92U[/asin]

Among complete sets, Andrei Gavrilov's set is brilliant, but more on the romantic side than either Fray or Tristano.

Andrea Bacchetti's recent set is worthwhile too, but I'd advise you to sample it first, to see how you feel about his ornamentation:

[asin]B01913UQQO[/asin]

Gould is Gould, and his playing is wonderful, but the orchestra sounds like they're playing Vaughn Williams in the slow movements.  Gould was keenly interested in the period movement in the years before he died, and IMO would have recorded these concertos differently, if he'd had another go at them.

2. On harpsichord, I'd recommend the following complete set, played on antique harpsichords, with a reduced ensemble: which is ideal, as the harpsichord part doesn't get drowned out in the mix:

[asin]B00285QBXK[/asin]

Among larger ensemble recordings (with the harpsichord closely miked so it can be heard), Ton Koopman's set with the Amsterdam Baroque Soloists is excellent.

I will check out Frey. I like the Plectrum in addition to Cuiller, Dantone, Sponseller and Beatrice Martin. E.T.A.: Fray is compelling stuff! thanks!!!