Bach Chamber and Instrumental music

[SonicMan46]

Well, I've begun to listen selectively to my JS Bach collection (about 260 discs!) - will concentrate on the instrumental music - today the Gamba Sonatas were up for a listen - back around 2010, there was a lot of discussion of these works in this thread, and I settled on the ones shown below (not sure that Wieland Kuijken came up much then but added him later) - still enjoy all (some reviews attached for those 'new' to these works and/or performances) - there was a new one after reviewing this thread w/ Vittoria Ghielmi (viola da gamba) & Lorenzo Ghielmi (harpsichord/fortepiano) that had excellent comments (available at PrestoMusic) - SO, not much discussion here in a long while on the gamba sonatas - any new thoughts, more recently recorded favorites, or other instrumentation?  Dave

[Que]

Dave, you afe already spoilt for choice!
I'm quite happy with what I have: Weber/Hill, Savall/Koopman and Ghielmi/Ghielmi.
The Ghielmis is definitely nice because of the different angle, but wouldn't be a primary choice.

I recently listened to a more "recent"recording on Spotify that I really liked:

[Jo498]

Can anyone comment on the gamba/harpsichord suites with Harnoncourt/tachezi? I am not sure I have more than one odd recording of Harnoncourt actually playing gamba/cello solo (unless in a larger ensemble in the Concentus musicus) and I wonder if this is interesting or a somewhat crude early HIP effort...?

[Mandryka]

Well, I've begun to listen selectively to my JS Bach collection (about 260 discs!) - will concentrate on the instrumental music - today the Gamba Sonatas were up for a listen - back around 2010, there was a lot of discussion of these works in this thread, and I settled on the ones shown below (not sure that Wieland Kuijken came up much then but added him later) - still enjoy all (some reviews attached for those 'new' to these works and/or performances) - there was a new one after reviewing this thread w/ Vittoria Ghielmi (viola da gamba) & Lorenzo Ghielmi (harpsichord/fortepiano) that had excellent comments (available at PrestoMusic) - SO, not much discussion here in a long while on the gamba sonatas - any new thoughts, more recently recorded favorites, or other instrumentation?  Dave

I think the very new one with Sarah Cunningham and Dicky Egarr is really very good indeed, when I listen to it, it effaces the memory of all others.

As far as your question about instrumentation is concerned, have you heard Bylsma and Asperen - cello and organ? Not a recommendation, but it is something you may like more than me.

By the way, did Harnoncourt record this music?  He wrote a very good essay on it.

[Jo498]

Yes, he did with Tachezi, I believe around 1970 or so. I just asked about them, I'd have hoped you had heard them...

[milk]

Well, I've begun to listen selectively to my JS Bach collection (about 260 discs!) - will concentrate on the instrumental music - today the Gamba Sonatas were up for a listen - back around 2010, there was a lot of discussion of these works in this thread, and I settled on the ones shown below (not sure that Wieland Kuijken came up much then but added him later) - still enjoy all (some reviews attached for those 'new' to these works and/or performances) - there was a new one after reviewing this thread w/ Vittoria Ghielmi (viola da gamba) & Lorenzo Ghielmi (harpsichord/fortepiano) that had excellent comments (available at PrestoMusic) - SO, not much discussion here in a long while on the gamba sonatas - any new thoughts, more recently recorded favorites, or other instrumentation?  Dave

For a long time, Pandolfo and Hunninger were my very favorite. It's been a while so I'm not sure how I'd feel now.

[Mandryka]

Yes, he did with Tachezi, I believe around 1970 or so. I just asked about them, I'd have hoped you had heard them...

https://www.discogs.com/release/12694928-Johann-Sebastian-Bach-Nikolaus-Harnoncourt-Herbert-Tachezi-Gambensonaten-Gamba-Sonatas-Triosonate-G-

Oh yes -- have I heard that? I can't remember! I'm downloading them now.

[Ras]

RE: Tachezi/Harnoncourt:

On Spotify I could only find the 1. movement of BWV 1029:

https://open.spotify.com/track/7ojiNj3TDvw1Mh5rgqXTgM?si=77cc5c54f8dd47b5

[prémont]

primary choice.

I recently listened to a more "recent"recording on Spotify that I really liked:

Yes a nice and lively played version with a fine balance between the gamba and the right hand harpsichord part. On the other hand the left hand harpsichord part is in places a bit underexposed.

[prémont]

I own quite a lot of recordings of the gamba sonatas, at least 25+. The ones which have impressed me the most from a musical point of view are these:

Ekkehard Weber / Robert Hill (Ars Musici)

Hille Perl / Michael Behringer (Haenssler)

Emily Walhout / Byron Schenkman (Centaur)

[SonicMan46]

Thanks ALL for the comments - decided that I wanted to add just one and picked the Ghielmi brothers (on sale at PrestoMusic) mainly for a different slant on the performances w/ use of a fortepiano.  Dave

[SonicMan46]

Re-post from listening thread - unlikely to receive much if any attention there, but those interested in JS Bach's flute sonatas might want to comment; over decades I've culled and accumulated an odd collection - now listening to the 2nd disc of Piccinini w/ guitar transcriptions, really quite enjoyable (and as I recall received some excellent reviews).  Dave

Bach, JS - Flute Sonatas on the electic collection below: 1) Lisa Beznosiuk - the period instrument recording; 2) Hansgeorg Schmeiser on a modern flute but w/ a harpsichord and cello; 3) Michala Petri on recorder w/ viola da gamba & harpsichord; and 4) Marina Piccinini on a modern instrument w/ a guitar duo in transcriptions (really quite enjoyable!).  There are 6-9 'works' on each recording and of course continued debate as to authenticity of these works, i.e. how many are from the hand of Papa Bach, some discussion HERE - Dave

     

[Que]

Re-post from listening thread - unlikely to receive much if any attention there, but those interested in JS Bach's flute sonatas might want to comment; over decades I've culled and accumulated an odd collection - now listening to the 2nd disc of Piccinini w/ guitar transcriptions, really quite enjoyable (and as I recall received some excellent reviews).  Dave

Well, this is not exactly core Bach repotoire for me so I never got beyond Frans Brüggen's classic performance:



But this one looks quite fancy: 

[SonicMan46]

Well, this is not exactly core Bach repotoire for me so I never got beyond Frans Brüggen's classic performance:

 

But this one looks quite fancy: 

Que - believe that I use to have the Büggen et al but must have done some culling -    But Petri is as good as always, as are the two others, especially like Perl - reviews attached if you want to read any - Dave

[SonicMan46]

Sonatas Violin & Harpsichord - next up for review the 4 recordings in my collection shown below - listening to the first disc of each this morning and looking at reviews, which are attached - I'm liking the first 3 a lot but not sure about the violinist on the ZigZag recording w/ the fabulous Balndine Rannou, possibly a replacement?  There are a LOT of recordings of these works, both old and new - so will be curious about some of the more recent favorites in the forum - post comments please.  Dave

P.S.  there are 3 reviews of the Mullova/Dantone performance, 2 TOP ratings and a scathing attack on MusicWeb by Johan van Veen - I like the disc as did ClassicsToday and AllMusic!

[Mandryka]

Two which may be interesting for you to hear are Guido de Neve/Philippe Agsteribbe and Martin Gester/Alice Pierot. It doesn't look as though either are on spotify.

Maybe also try Ensemble SDG (Start with their CD3) and Leila Schayegh/Jörg Halubek

One which is a bit marmite is  Ivan Zenaty/Jaroslav Tuma -- so it's probably not a bad idea to suck it and see.

Mario Brunello/Roberto Loreggian/Francesco Galligioni is very unusual and so one to suck too.

I note in passing that there are two very promising new ones which I haven't myself explored yet -- Fabio Bonizzoni/Ryo Terakado (you can hear it on spotify. Terakado's recording with Siebe Henstra is excellent, and also on spotify.) and Petra Müllejans/Sabine Bauer (you can hear it on Bandcamp)  Gottfried von der Goltz/Annekatrin Beller/Torsten Johann will release one in early March -- so it may be worth waiting until you can hear it.

[SonicMan46]

Two which may be interesting for you to hear are Guido de Neve/Philippe Agsteribbe and Martin Gester/Alice Pierot. It doesn't look as though either are on spotify.

Maybe also try Ensemble SDG (Start with their CD3) and Leila Schayegh/Jörg Halubek

One which is a bit marmite is  Ivan Zenaty/Jaroslav Tuma -- so it's probably not a bad idea to suck it and see.

Mario Brunello/Roberto Loreggian/Francesco Galligioni is very unusual and so one to suck too.

I note in passing that there are two very promising new ones which I haven't myself explored yet -- Fabio Bonizzoni/Ryo Terakado (you can hear it on spotify. Terakado's recording with Siebe Henstra is excellent, and also on spotify.) and Petra Müllejans/Sabine Bauer (you can hear it on Bandcamp)  Gottfried von der Goltz/Annekatrin Beller/Torsten Johann will release one in early March -- so it may be worth waiting until you can hear it.

Hi Mandryka - again you astound!    How do you remember all of these performances, many of which are obscure to me - 

BUT, I've looked on Spotify and Amazon USA to see what I may listen to and/or possibly purchase - NOW, I'm in the market to just replace the one set mentioned previously, i.e. don't want to increase the number - quoted below is what I could find out in my searching (up to your 'new ones') - to me the Loreggian set w/ the extra instrument is of interest so will listen on Spotify; Ensemble SDG is also available for streaming there. Know Tuma but cannot fine the recording - is he on clavichord?  I just decided to dump his WTC on clavichord after a listen this morning - sounds like Schroeder from Peanuts on a dinky toy - just me (and I do have a handful of clavichord CDs which I enjoy).  Thanks again for all of the suggestions - Dave

Guido de Neve/Philippe Agsteribbe - not on Spotify nor at Amazon USA
Martin Gester/Alice Pierot - same as above
Ensemble SDG - 3 Volumes on Spotify; MP3 on Amazon USA
Ivan Zenaty/Jaroslav Tuma - know both but not much luck?
Brunello/Loreggian/Galligioni - know them; on Spotify & Amazon but not cheap?

[Mandryka]

SDG use organ in CD3 and harpsichord in the other CDs. See if this Spotify link works for you

https://open.spotify.com/artist/30OeUkpsD9OcbKKFsASQyJ

Don't forget Leila Schayegh/Jörg Halubek - harpsichord but inspired by Mattheson on the expressive implications of keys in baroque music, like Guido de Neve, but IMO not as good.  Tuma uses harpsichord.

If you're interested in piano try Capuçon/Fray. And try Ryo Terakado with Henstra on Denon! I played it last night and thought it was lovely.

[milk]

Malgoire and the Tuma set have uniquely mild violin sounds. I love them. Mandyrka suggested Tuma to me as well. Other violinists go for large singing sounds. I guess. I don't really know about how the violin is taught but I find this technique to be very pleasing.

[Mandryka]

By the way, listening to Gester and Pierot this morning it occurred to me that you need to have a recording with organ - I'm not sure ensemble SDG is the one. The way the organ sustains, and the way it complements the tone of the violin, transforms the music into something else. Listening to 1019a. It looks as though this is from the set

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=EcIw0zusG2k