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

Started by Que, May 19, 2007, 12:07:32 AM

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Selig


milk

Quote from: Selig on October 21, 2021, 05:03:49 AM
But have you heard Savall?  :)
you know, I don't think I have. I'll look into it. Has he only done it once?

premont

Quote from: milk on October 22, 2021, 12:39:45 AM
you know, I don't think I have. I'll look into it. Has he only done it once?

Yes, only once.

Rating is difficult and often doesn't do the recordings justice - too much subjectivity.

The number of recordings I know of the Brandenburgs is about 200.
Zimmermann and Savall would IMO be among top 20. But that's me.
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Selig

Quote from: milk on October 22, 2021, 12:39:45 AM
you know, I don't think I have. I'll look into it.

I thought of it because you previously mentioned soundscape/texture as being a potentially deciding factor, and Savall has stellar sonics, directed toward the low end. He also did the Ouvertures around the same time and they may be just as recommendable.

aukhawk

I find the sound on Savall's Brandenburgs to be a bit awful.  Don't get me wrong, I admire Savall the musician, and I admire the high production values of the AliaVox recordings.  And his Ouvertures sound a lot better, to me.  Just in the Brandenburgs they have taken the low-end emphasis a step too far.

milk

I liked what I heard in the fifth concerto of Savall, the only one I listened to. I have to listen again but the separation of things, the counterpoint and interaction if voices...it's very alive.

milk

I can't remember how often Dunedin came up here but I decided to listen to it because there latest cantatas album is so awesome. I think their Brandenburgs are quire good. They're not feverish. Maybe they're elegant. Very solid confident elegant performances. They sound quite good too.



I agree with Kirk on this 100%
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Dec13/Bach_Brandenburgs_CKD430.htm

SonicMan46

Violin Concertos - well not a lot of discussion of these 'orchestral' works here going back over the last 6 years or so the thread - my current collection are the first three shown below - listened to portions today and still enjoy Wallfisch and Fischer - Suwanai I liked but mixed reviews in the attachment w/ rather unflattering comments from BBC Magazine, which I disagree - her playing at times is more of a legato style - BUT thought that I could add another recording, and put in an order for a 'used' copy of Bernardini on the Amazon MP; my other option was Faust on 2 CDs w/ a lot of extra stuff that did not interest me but the recording has been well received (and discussed in this thread not too long ago).  Dave :)


Selig

I like them swift and HIP, my preference has to be...


aukhawk

I heartily endorse the recommendation for Carmignola.

My own personal favourite is Debretzeni:


Bach Violin Concertos - Kati Debretzeni, J E Gardiner

Closely followed by Carmignola and Faust:


Bach Violin Concertos and other works - Isabelle Faust, AAMB

Personally I wouldn't want any set that didn't include the D minor 'reconstructed' BWV 1052 - which all three of the above-mentioned do.  In its violin form, arguably the finest concerto that Bach did (or didn't) write.


SonicMan46

Quote from: milk on November 30, 2021, 05:57:04 AM
I can't remember how often Dunedin came up here but I decided to listen to it because there latest cantatas album is so awesome. I think their Brandenburgs are quire good. They're not feverish. Maybe they're elegant. Very solid confident elegant performances. They sound quite good too.

 

I agree with Kirk on this 100%
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2013/Dec13/Bach_Brandenburgs_CKD430.htm

Well, I've not purchased a Brandenburg recording in a while (believe Suzuki w/ the Orchestral Suites my last one) - so enjoyed the discussion here and in reading reviews on Butt and his period instrument gang - small number of players used and the unusual low tuning at 392 Hz - arrived today and listening now - really enjoying (the brass in the early concertos can be a little ear piercing but a minor issue, for me) - decided to look at reviews again and started w/ Fanfare, done by Jerry Dubins (BAD CHOICE!) - he slammed the recording, then looked up 4 others, ALL universally excellent, even a rare 5* rating from Andrew Clements of the Guardian; so Jerry deserves the corner of the classroom w/ a dunce cap, me thinks - reviews attached for those interested.  Dave :)


Mandryka

Wovon man nicht sprechen kann, darüber muss man schweigen

SonicMan46

Below a post I left 18 months ago - a change in my collection, i.e. Alina Ibragimova replaces Suwanai - reviews attached for those interested - all excellent.  I've been somewhat 'smitten' w/ this gal the last few years, and have purchased many of her recordings from BRO at bargain prices - this recording is there for $9 USD (check link for all available).  Dave :)

Quote from: SonicMan46 on February 14, 2022, 01:40:35 PMViolin Concertos - well not a lot of discussion of these 'orchestral' works here going back over the last 6 years or so the thread - my current collection are the first three shown below - listened to portions today and still enjoy Wallfisch and Fischer - Suwanai I liked but mixed reviews in the attachment w/ rather unflattering comments from BBC Magazine, which I disagree - her playing at times is more of a legato style - BUT thought that I could add another recording, and put in an order for a 'used' copy of Bernardini on the Amazon MP; my other option was Faust on 2 CDs w/ a lot of extra stuff that did not interest me but the recording has been well received (and discussed in this thread not too long ago).  Dave :)



aukhawk

Of those four I'm only familiar with Ibragimova - generally a big favourite with me.   From other recordings by Fischer I know she wouldn't be an absolute top choice for me. 
I have to re-iterate (as mentioned above) Faust (and I do take the point about the 'extra stuff') Carmignola and Debretzeni, with my ultimate favourite being the last-named.  I would set any of these alongside or above Ibra.


Debretzeni
     
Faust,    Carmignola


aukhawk

Hmm.  Three of Bach's keyboard Partitas in orchestrated form - guaranteed to set any purist's teeth on edge.  But it's a bit like discovering three new Orchestral Suites.


Partitas 1, 2 & 5 orchestrated, cond. Trevor Pinnock

Sad to say I probably won't listen to this again.  I do feel perhaps the orchestral textures are maybe a bit overdone in places - but in the hands of one of the specialist HIP bands such as Akademie fur Alte Musik or English Baroque Soloists, this would probably be much more successful.  But these musicians tread carefully and smoothly through the music, rather in the manner of a chamber orchestra from 50 years ago.  I need more crackle and pop, more swing.

DavidW

It was neat to hear but didn't even sound like the partitas to me.  I think your description tells me why.  I still liked it, but won't be doing repeat listening.

premont

The arrangements may sound a little baroque, but not at all like Bach. I think the arranger has too much focus on haphazard varied instrumental color. He should rather have been guided by Bach's own way of instrumentation, as we find it e.g. in the four so-called orchestral suites
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