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

[BorisG]

I have the Brandenburg Concertos on two CDs, Boston Baroque, Martin Perlman. Telarc.  This seems to be a good recording. Are there any that stand out as being better? I don't know what it is but most of my posts are concerned with asking what are the "best" recordings, just to be sure I don't miss anything for certain special pieces. I am still quite a novice re classical music and the recommendations I get here are really helpful, from those "in the know". And I realize that while these may be very subjective calls, there is usually, nonetheless, some consensus that this or that orchestra performs this or that piece best. Thanks in advance for all the recommendations

Boston is better than most, so at this stage I would advise that you not change.
My preference is

[Sergeant Rock]

I am beginning to see this, that it is more subjective than I first thought. And maybe I am making this harder than it is . Sit back and relax and enjoy the music instead of doing so much research on it..

I would suggest you sit back, relax, and enjoy the music you have....AND continue your research. The available recordings of the Brandenburgs cover a dizzying variety of performances and styles. All you can do at this point (and I assume you are relatively new to classical music, or at least new to Bach) is to ask questions (and you are already very good at that), read opinions, and then form your own once you've heard more than one version. I don't know anything about you, but I have discovered most listeners fall into one of two categories: those who hear a performance, like it, and want more recordings that are similiar; and those who hear a performance and want something completely different (in this forum, myself and M forever fall into the latter category). So which are you? If you want something like Perlman, get Goebel. If you want something different, try Leppard or Britten.

Sarge

[dave b]

Hi again, Sarge. I guess I would fit mostly into the first category but maybe not. I hear something and I just like it, like most people. Then it is not as if I get dissatisfied but I just start thinking, I wonder what other really good renditions of this are out there. And it is not this big desire for more of the same thing or the same thing performed a different way. I am listening right now to Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances, Lausanne Chamber Orchestra, Jesus Lopez-Cobos, and it is fascinating. Especially Suite #2, third movement or whatever it is called. I need to find out about terminology too Suite No. 2 III is what it says here. That is a very moving piece. So is Vaughn Williams' Five Variants of "Dives and Lazarus" by ASMF. This gives me an idea to begin a new topic on another section of the forums-----under General Discussion. Sarge, I hope you go over to that topic because I would really be interested in what you have to say, you and the other folks here who are so helpful.

[hornteacher]

My personal favorite:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=108524&album_group=5

[dave b]

I've heard that it is a great recording. Music aside, that cover photo is a little odd, isn't it? But interesting. Just not what you would usually find on a classical music cover.

[Drasko]

These still seem available for free.

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2637.0.html

[Sergeant Rock]

Sarge, I hope you go over to that topic because I would really be interested in what you have to say, you and the other folks here who are so helpful.

I saw your new thread...and ran away   Seriously, it's such a difficult question to answer. I have around 10,000 LPs and CDs. Choosing four or five ain't easy! But I will answer you tomorrow, once I've had more time to consider (it's very late here...I live in Germany and it's after two a.m.; my brain isn't functiioning at peak performance). I'll take your favorites into consideration and try to give music that is similar that I love.

Sarge

[FideLeo]

Get DVD (Freiburg Baroque Orchesta, for example) - you see how musicians do it.    Not to mention the cracking performance itself.  In comparison, the Martin Pearlman is SO genteel. 

[Gustav]

I don't know if this is "Better", since this is the only one i have, but after listening to this one, i find it absolutely pointless to buy other recordings ( i have heard about 7-9 different Brandburg concertos though, none of them come even close to this one).

[bassio]

I am documenting my experiences with some of the sets I listened to, but it is still an ongoing process and am still editing these essays to suit my ongoing changes in taste, which rarely settles, and to suit my deepened interest in the HIP idiom. For example, I wouldn't tolerate some HIP sounds months ago, but now I am enjoying it - but I still did not edit my essays to reflect this.

To cut it short - my votes will be for:
Pinnock (Savall) for HIP

Marriner - (the one with Holliger, Rampal, Szeryng, Petri) for modern (severely underrated)

The one Gustav recommends (the Richter) is not bad, but I won't go for it when you compare it with the above.

You can check out my experiences here.
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essays
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essay/229/bachs_first_brandenburg_concerto_recording_survey
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essay/215/bachs_second_brandenburg_concerto_recording_survey
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essay/253/bachs_third_brandenburg_concerto_recording_survey
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essay/208/bachs_fifth_brandenburg_concerto_recording_survey
http://www.allaboutclassical.com/essay/216/bachs_sixth_brandenburg_concerto_recording_survey

_{Disclaimer: most of the versions in this survey are old versions, some modern and some HIP .. I am still not acquainted with the newer HIP versions of these times, (except Alessandrini's) which I recently acquired and I will be adding newer versions to my survey in the future God willing.}


By the way, if anyone is interested in writing reviews/surveys or listening guides and wants to document his idiosyncratic choices, then PM me - and he can join the editor's board on AllAboutClassical. We are in need of more contributors. 

[bassio]

I'm not claiming either is the "best." I don't think such a thing exists.
Sarge

Indeed I agree, no such thing as best ..

esp. with the Brandenburgs 

[FideLeo]

Indeed I agree, no such thing as best ..

esp. with the Brandenburgs 

True with everything! What about finding a Brandenburg for winter and one for summer (see the newest Mahler cycle thread)? One for the bathroom and one for the toilet?  The Brandenburg as air freshener....

[hautbois]

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2637.0.html

Indeed, is that is still available, it easily outshines most of the recordings that are commerically available out there

I agree that the Freiburg rendition on DVD is absolutely stunning. I have nothing against modern performances, but Britten's ECO performance seems rather bland to me.

Howard

[FideLeo]

I agree that the Freiburg rendition on DVD is absolutely stunning.

The Germans seem to specialise in rasor-sharp ensemble work.  Goebel/MAK is another one that dazzles in this respect.  The legato-laden Britten et al. is for romantics. 

[Que]

The legato-laden Britten et al. is for romantics. 

HIP Bach is for p**sies!!!!   



1. Suite for Orchestra no 1 in C major, BWV 1066/ Busch Chamber Players/ Adolf Busch
2. Suite for Orchestra no 2 in B minor, BWV 1067/ Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/ Willem Mengelberg
3. Suite for Orchestra no 3 in D major, BWV 1068/ Orchestre de la Societe du Conservatoire Paris/ Felix Weingartner
4. Suite for Orchestra no 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air/ Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra/ Willem Mengelberg (Orchestration: Gustav Mahler)
5. Suite for Orchestra no 4 in D major, BWV 1069/ Boston Symphony Orchestra/ Sergei Koussevitzky
6. Brandenburg Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/  Alois Melichar
7. Brandenburg Concerto no 2 in F major, BWV 1047/ Philadelphia Orchestra/ Leopold Stokowski
8. Brandenburg Concerto no 3 in G major, BWV 1048/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Wilhelm Furtwängler
9. Brandenburg Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049/ Ecole Normale Chamber Orchestra Paris/ Alfred Cortot
10. Brandenburg Concerto no 5 in D major, BWV 1050/ Busch Chamber Players/ Adolf Busch
11. Brandenburg Concerto no 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051/ Fritz Reiner

Q

[The new erato]

HIP Bach is for pussies!!!!   

I'm a sucker for a good HIP recording.....now I know why.......

[hautbois]

HIP Bach is for p**sies!!!!   



1. Suite for Orchestra no 1 in C major, BWV 1066/ Busch Chamber Players/ Adolf Busch
2. Suite for Orchestra no 2 in B minor, BWV 1067/ Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra/ Willem Mengelberg
3. Suite for Orchestra no 3 in D major, BWV 1068/ Orchestre de la Societe du Conservatoire Paris/ Felix Weingartner
4. Suite for Orchestra no 3 in D major, BWV 1068: Air/ Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra/ Willem Mengelberg (Orchestration: Gustav Mahler)
5. Suite for Orchestra no 4 in D major, BWV 1069/ Boston Symphony Orchestra/ Sergei Koussevitzky
6. Brandenburg Concerto no 1 in F major, BWV 1046/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/  Alois Melichar
7. Brandenburg Concerto no 2 in F major, BWV 1047/ Philadelphia Orchestra/ Leopold Stokowski
8. Brandenburg Concerto no 3 in G major, BWV 1048/ Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra/ Wilhelm Furtwängler
9. Brandenburg Concerto no 4 in G major, BWV 1049/ Ecole Normale Chamber Orchestra Paris/ Alfred Cortot
10. Brandenburg Concerto no 5 in D major, BWV 1050/ Busch Chamber Players/ Adolf Busch
11. Brandenburg Concerto no 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051/ Fritz Reiner

Q

I can already hear how bad these performances are despite never having heard any of them, except for the Mengelberg maybe, because i am biased. 

Howard

[Sergeant Rock]

The Germans seem to specialise in rasor-sharp ensemble work.  Goebel/MAK is another one that dazzles in this respect.  The legato-laden Britten et al. is for romantics. 

Indeed...that's why I love it.   Goebel is too hectic, too driven; Bach on speed...but I enjoy listening to it occasionally. It's better than a jolt of expresso 

Sarge

[Que]

Great news - just issued!



[mp3=200,20,0,left]http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fugalibera.com%2Fdata%2Fcds%2F341%2Fclip.mp3[/mp3]
Concerto pour violon en la mineur BWV 1041

Concerto pour 2 clavecins en ut majeur BWV 1061

Concerto pour flûte, violon & clavecin en la mineur BWV 1044

2ème Concert Brandebourgeois en fa majeur BWV 1047

Samples at jpc

Q

[Bunny]

I only wonder how long I will have to wait before it's available states-side!  I've had to order some of the Alpha recordings from Europe before and the postal rates are killer.  I'm just grateful that the dollar isn't so weak against the Euro anymore.