Bach: BWV Nos. 1049, 1050, 1051 & 1059

On this CD:

1. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major, BWV 1049
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Monica Huggett, Ricardo Kanji, Reine-Marie Verhagen
Conducted by Ton Koopman

2. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Wilbert Hazelzet, Ton Koopman
Conducted by Roy Goodman, Ton Koopman

3. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B flat major, BWV 1051
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Christophe Coin, Sarah Cunningham, Trevor Jones, Jaap ter Linden, Jan Schlapp
Conducted by Ton Koopman

4. Harpsichord Concerto No. 8 in D minor, BWV 1059
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra with Ton Koopman
Conducted by Ton Koopman

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After about half a dozen years in limbo, Ton Koopman's marvelous 1983 readings with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra are back on the shelf at mid-price, though still on two single discs. The accent in these elegant, flowing performances is on variety--in the texture, in the ornamentation, and in matters of phrasing and articulation. The executants' voicing of the counterpoint is quite effective, as is their pointing of rhythm, which underscores the fact that so much of this music comes from the dance. Erato's sound is quite appealing, though the discs have been mastered at a rather high level. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Concerto No. 4 BWV 1049: 1. Allegro
Concerto No. 4 BWV 1049: 2. Andante
Concerto No. 4 BWV 1049: 3. Presto
Concerto No. 5 BWV 1050: 1. Allegro
Concerto No. 5 BWV 1050: 2. Affettuoso
Concerto No. 5 BWV 1050: 3. Allegro
Concerto No. 6 BWV 1051: 1. Ohne Satzbezeichnung - Without Tempo Indication
Concerto No. 6 BWV 1051: 2. Adagio ma non tanto
Concerto No. 6 BWV 1051: 3. Allegro

Amazon.com

On Shakespeare's sceptered isle the approach to Bach has remained fairly consistent among period specialists. Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert were among the first to digitally record the Brandenburgs on period instruments, and their 1982 readings have remained staples of the catalog. Animated, though still very English in their wholesomeness and avoidance of color, these accounts feature predictably good work from violinist Simon Standage and such stalwarts as flutist Lisa Beznosiuk and the ubiquitous Mr. Pinnock. They also boast excellent sound (the venue was Henry Wood Hall), even if the harpsichord in Concerto No. 5 is so prominent as to be dis-concerting. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Highest marks!.......2005-11-12

I give Trevor Pinnock's recording with the English Concert of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos 4-6 the highest marks, as with his recording of Concertos 1-3. Recorded in 1982 at the beginning of the digital era, these recordings have been on CD since the introduction of that format in 1983, and have held up well over the past 20+ years in a crowded field with other recordings of the Brandenburgs.

See my review about Pinnock/English Concert's Brandenburgs 1-3: the same comments apply here. 100%, 5 stars!

Exuberant!.......2003-03-14

Best version I have ever heard. All others pale in comparison. Place on your wish list!

Wonderful Brandenburgs.......2003-01-07

Spirited, energetic playing under the direction a genius of Baroque music makes these Brandenburg Concertos a must to own. The recordings exude warmth and vitality. Anyone looking to purchase a recording of the Brandenburg's, especially on period instruments, would be well served by selecting the English Concert's recordings.

Neither here nor there.......2002-07-17

The sound is pretty good, so you hear all of the instruments clearly ("I didn't know that was a recorder!"). But this set is curiously unengaging. Some gusto would have helped considerably. I like Pinnock's "Orchestral Suites" much better---the "English style" if I may is better suited to those pieces than the lusty Brandenburgs. Not a bad set, but if I find one that's better, out the window it goes. Strange; Pinnock's recordings of Bach harpsichord pieces are usually dynamite.

Wonderful sounds - glorious music - Makes you want to dance.......2002-07-07

The English Concert led by Trevor Pinnock performed the complete Brandenburg Concertos here in Ann Arbor in the last year or two and it was a great concert. Hill Auditorium has good acoustics but it is a bit big for such intimate music and for period instruments that were never built for a hall seating thousands of people. However, we were all VERY quiet and listened closely. Our hearing adjusted and we enjoyed every note.

Here are the last three of the six concertos. Four is the concerto featuring the virtuoso violin playing. I think it is done terrificly on this recording. It doesn't have to be polished like a twentieth century jewel. What we want is passion, fire, and joy in the music. We get that here along with some wonderful record playing in the third movement.

The fifth is the keyboard concert (well, harpsichord). Mr. Pinnock does a wonderful job of making his playing the center piece without losing the lines going on all around him. Many people find this their favorite concerto. It isn't mine, but I do love it.

Six is strings and continuo (harpsichord). It was surprisingly visual in concert to see the various combinations of players tossing the lines of music back and forth. Stunning. Now that I have seen it I can hear it on this disk.

Tracks:

Brandenburg Con No.4 in G, BWV 1049: 1. Allegro - Szeryng/Petri/Selin
Brandenburg Con No.4 in G, BWV 1049: 2. Andante-3. Presto - Szeryng/Petri/Selin
Brandenburg Con No.5 in D, BWV 1050: 1. Allegro - Szeryng/Rampal/Malcolm
Brandenburg Con No.5 in D, BWV 1050: 2. Affettuoso - Szeryng/Rampal/Malcolm
Brandenburg Con No.5 in D, BWV 1050: 3. Allegro - Szeryng/Rampal/Malcolm
Brandenburg Con No.6 in B-flat, BWV 1051: 1. - Shingles/Best/Nesbitt/Sansom/Toll/Vigay
Brandenburg Con No.6 in B-flat, BWV 1051: 2. Adagio, ma non tanto - Shingles/Best/Nesbitt/Sansom/Toll/Vigay
Brandenburg Con No.6 in B-flat, BWV 1051: 3. Allegro - Shingles/Best/Nesbitt/Sansom/Toll/Vigay

Amazon.com

This first-rate set of Brandenburg Concertos (with its companion containing Concertos 1, 2, and 3) offers stylish, mostly modern-instrument performances that remain faithful to the spirit of Bach's scores--recorders are used in No. 4, harpsichord in No. 5, and viols in No. 6--while exploiting the brilliant timbre of 20th century strings. In 1980, Sir Neville Marriner was one of the gods of Baroque and classical period music, and this disc shows why. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

The perfect gift.......2006-03-19

I had the record sent as a gift to my daughter who had never heard any of the Brandenburg Concerti--and considered Bach "square." I received an ecstatic long e-mail after she heard this performance. "I'm in love!" she wrote. "I absolutely love this record. I listen to it over and over. It sounds like bells and birds!I didn't understand that Bach's music was like this."

Suberb Recording of Masterpiece Brandenburg Concertos.......2004-01-24

This CD is one of the best recordings I have heard of the Brandenburg Concertos, and I have heard many. Masterful! Sir Neville Marriner has one of the most distinguished careers in classical music, and my experience is that his CD's are almost always an excellent choice.

Tracks:

Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 - G major - BWV 1049: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 - G major - BWV 1049: Andante
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 - G major - BWV 1049: Presto
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 - D major - BWV 1050: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 - D major - BWV 1050: Affettuoso
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 - D major - BWV 1050: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 - B flat major - BWV 1051: Allegro Moderato
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 - B flat major - BWV 1051: Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 - B flat major - BWV 1051: Allegro
Organ Concerto BWV 1059 - No. 8 - D minor: Sinfonia
Organ Concerto BWV 1059 - No. 8 - D minor: Aria
Organ Concerto BWV 1059 - No. 8 - D minor: Sinfonia: presto

Amazon.com

After about half a dozen years in limbo, Ton Koopman's marvelous 1983 readings with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra are back on the shelf at mid-price, though still on two single discs. The accent in these elegant, flowing performances is on variety--in the texture, in the ornamentation, and in matters of phrasing and articulation. The executants' voicing of the counterpoint is quite effective, as is their pointing of rhythm, which underscores the fact that so much of this music comes from the dance. Erato's sound is quite appealing, though the discs have been mastered at a rather high level. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Sparkling performances of Bach concerto's.......2000-06-27

When I wanted a CD version of these concerto's I listened to three versions: Koopman, Il Giardino Armonico and Hogwood. All of them have some pro's and cons. Il Giardino gives some crisp performances (particular in concert no. 3). Hogwood is interesting, as he and his band play earlier versions of some concertos, but if you do not already have a CD with these concerts it will not be the most obvious choice. In particular since you miss the lengthy candenza of no. 5.

The overall most satisfying version was for me Koopman and his ABO. His performances are very alive and his continuo playing is imaginative. The soloist, including Koopman himself and other well known baroque specialist, are excellent What made me above all choose this version is the way he performs the cadenza in no. 5, one of the most dramatic accounts I have heard. Here he really leaves behind Il Giardino, as its harpischordist plays the solo rather unfocused.

Tracks:

Branden Concerto No. 4 In G Major, BMV 1049: I: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Major, BWV 1049: II: Andante
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Major, BWV 1049: III: Presto
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BMV 1050: I: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, BWV 1050: II:Affettuoso
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, BWV 1050: III: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 In B-Flat Major BMV 1051: I: (Allegro)
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 In B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: II: Adagio ma non tanto
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 In B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: III: Allegro
Orchestral Suite No.4 In D Major, BWV 1069: I: Ouverture
Orchestral Suite No.4 In D Major, BWV 1069: II: Bouree I; Bouree II
Orchestral Suite No.4 In D Major, BWV 1069: III: Gavotte
Orchestral Suite No.4 In D Major, BWV 1069: IV: Menuet I; Menuet II
Orchestral Suite No.4 In D Major, BWV 1069: V: Rejouissance

Customer Reviews:

High marks for Casals' Bach.......2005-08-21

I give Pablo Casals' recordings of Bach's BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS the highest marks - 5 stars - for great playing, sensible tempos, soul and passion. Nothing is overdone, and this is a real antidote to the sanitized, prissy performances of these works so popular today, largely by the period instrument crowd.

For my thoughts on Casals' Bach, see my review for ORCHESTRAL SUITES 2 and 3 by Casals/Marlboro Festival Orchestra. The same applies here: highest recommendation.

THE VIRILE, RICH-BLOODED BACH!.......2005-01-31

J. Sebastian Bach was a very virile, full-blooded man who worked all his life, had two wives, and sired about 20 children. Casals' realizations of Bach's music illustrate Bach's virility and vivacity. Casals conducts the Bach Concerti & Suites as he [Casals] plays the Bach Sonatas: with vim, vigor, and vitality; with rhythm, color, and accent; with dash, esprit, and intellect. In short, these are the very best realizations of the Brandenburgs available--or will ever again be available.

By the way, in these sessions and at rehearsals, Casals conducted sitting down with his cello on which he illustrated the tempi, accents and inflections he wanted for the orchestra, and used his cello bow as a baton. This is as real as it gets!

The soloists are wonderful. The recorded sound is bright and clear. The price is incredibly cheap. What are you waiting for?

The best recordings I've ever heard of the Brandeburg.......2000-03-25

I love Bach, and I particularly love the Brandeburg Concertos, and I've never heard a recording of them as good as this one. The sound quality is also first rate. Even if you already own a recording of the Brandenburg Concertos you owe it to yourself to buy this one.

Authentic recordings.......1999-11-06

Forget about Harnoncourt, Herreveghe, Norrington etc. The Casals recordings are more authentic than any of the recent versions. You don't know your Bach if you haven't listened to these perfomances, conducted by the maybe greatest musicien of the 20th century, Pau Casals.

refreshingly intimate and musical performances.......1999-06-18

These recordings were all made at the Marlboro festive in the 1950s. The emphasis at the festival is very much on considered rehearsal and on thinking and talking about the music being played. Only after the performers felt this process to have achieved as much as it was going to is a work performed or recorded. This very much comes through in the recordings here. Every phrase is beautifully played and articulated and the overall impression is of deeply cerebral performances. Serkin's account of the keyboard part in the 5th concerto has incredible poise and lyricism.

Average customer rating:

Inconsistent
Skip this one
A triumphant passionate recording
IT'S A MESS
Warm-hearted renditions

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Panorama: George Gershwin
Igor Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Ballet, 1910) / Alexander Scriabin: Prometheus - The Poem of Fire - Valery Gergiev / Kirov Orchestra, St. Petersburg / Alexander Toradze
Ravel: Bolero; Debussy, Mussorgsky / Karajan, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Panorama: Franz Schubert
Panorama: Hector Berlioz

ASIN: B000000UUW
Release Date: 1995-06-20

Tracks:

Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F, BWV.1046: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F, BWV.1046: Adagio
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F, BWV.1046: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F, BWV.1046: Menuett I - Trio I - Menuett II - Polonaise - Menuett III - Trio II - Menuett IV
Brandonburg Concerto No. 2 In F, BWV.1047: Allegro
Brandonburg Concerto No. 2 In F, BWV.1047: Andante
Brandonburg Concerto No. 2 In F, BWV.1047: Allegro assai
Brandonburg Concerto No. 3 In G, BWV.1048: Allegro
Brandonburg Concerto No. 3 In G, BWV.1048: Adagio
Brandonburg Concerto No. 3 In G, BWV.1048: Allegro

Tracks:

Concerto No. 4 In G Major, BWV.1049: Allegro
Concerto No. 4 In G Major, BWV.1049: Andante
Concerto No. 4 In G Major, BWV.1049: Presto
Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BWV.1050: Allegro
Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Affettuoso
Concerto No. 5 In D Major: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat . BWV: Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat . BWV: Adagio ma non tanto
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 in B flat . BWV: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Inconsistent.......2006-03-16

Since this recording is only available on the Amazon Marketplace or possibly Ebay, I would not make the effort to purchase it. The performances are very uneven. Nos. 1 and 5 are really dull and the playing is sloppy. The rest are fine and there is real passion in 6 but look elsewhere for a complete set.

Skip this one.......2002-08-16

There must be at least 15-20 complete versions of the Brandenburgs currently available and many are far better than this.
The sound on this 1959 recording is alternately muddy and shrill,and the playing seems half-hearted and flaccid.Even at a low price this set is no bargain.
There are a slew of fine Brandenburg recordings including the Boston Baroque,Tafelmusik(period instrument),Il Giardino Armonico and Harnoncourt and Leonhardt's period performances.Two of the best bargains are I Musici on a Philips 2 for 1 set and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment on the excellent Virgin Veritas series.

A triumphant passionate recording.......2001-12-30

Whatever this 1959 recording is lacking by today's technical standards, it makes up for in sheer passion. Menuhin was an artist capable of bringing his audiences to exuberant joy or inexplicable weeping. This delightful recording is a real bargain at this price!

IT'S A MESS.......2000-09-15

The performace seemed sloppy overall. Solos are best described as anemic and tentative. Even the low price doesn't redeem this recording.

Warm-hearted renditions.......2000-02-01

For fans of Menhuin, this recording is a must. While there are many delightful recordings of the Brandenburgs, few come as inexpensively as this one (the set by Schwarz on this label is less satisfying), and as satisfying.

Tracks:

(Allegro)
Andante
Presto
Allegro
Affetuoso
Allegro
Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Tanto
Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Fresh and engaging.......2005-11-03

The Leppard-set is one of my favourite recordings of the Brandenburg concertos. It is fresher than the velvety Baumgartner-recordings. I also enjoy Karl Ristenpart's elegant & noble set, when it comes to modern instruments, although I find Leppard more engaging. For original instruments I prefer Hogwood, but I like Savall too. For the other concertos by Leppard, search amazon: B00009P1PH.

Good!!.......2004-06-27

This is a very best interpretation and esecution of Brandenburg Concertos

Number one choice for modern versions........2004-01-18

It's good to have Raymond Leppard's well executed Brandenburgs back in circulation on this inexpensive Universal Classics label. I have always considered his performances nicely balanced, lively and consistently musical. I also feel they deserve to be at the top of the list among modern versions. For my money, they outshine any of Marriner's representations. Not long ago, however, I enjoyed an interesting experience, listening for the first time to an earlier,"original" instruments account of the Brandenburgs. Like a number of others, I grew up strictly with the modern performances, never really paying much attention to nor having much interest in the "authentic" approach as it emerged later in recordings. Well, upon listening to the early "original" style, I not only found myself fascinated by it but also actually preferring it to the modern. Currently, I am evaluating several performances in the "original" format and expect to post a review shortly on a favorite or recommended version.

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Vol. 2: Nos. 4-6

Average customer rating:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Vol. 2: Nos. 4-6

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos, Vol. 1: Nos. 1-3

ASIN: B00000K2V3
Release Date: 1999-09-03

J.S. Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6

Average customer rating:

J.S. Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-6

Manufacturer: Vanguard Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000CABBC
Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

(Allegro)
Adagio
Allegro
Menuetto - Polonaise - Menuetto
(Allegro)
Adagio
Allegro
Allegro - Paul Angerer
Andante - Paul Angerer
Presto - Paul Angerer

Tracks:

Allegro
Affettuoso
Allegro
(Allegro) - Helmut Wobisch
Andante - Helmut Wobisch
Allegro Assai - Helmut Wobisch
Allegro - Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Adagio Ma Non Tanto - Nikolaus Harnoncourt
Allegro - Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4-6; Triple Concerto BWV 1044

Average customer rating:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4-6; Triple Concerto BWV 1044

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3; Two Oboe Concertos
Bach: Violin Concertos, BWV 1041 & 1042; Double Concertos, BWV 1060 & 1043
Bach: Concertos

ASIN: B00008AD9R
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4, 5 & 6

Average customer rating:

Period instruments make this worth listening to

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4, 5 & 6

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 3

ASIN: B000003CZT
Release Date: 1993-05-25

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. (Allegro)
II. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Period instruments make this worth listening to.......2002-12-29

This second volume of a two volume set of Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos" is well worth looking for and listening to. The Boston Baroque Orchestra, under the baton of Martin Pearlman, make this recording one of the better recordings of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos you will find.

The liner notes, written by the conductor, make this album well worth reading as well as listening to. The liner notes include German and French versions of the conductor's additional information.

The period instruments give this album a feel of something like you might have heard if you had attended a concert given by the composer. The very unusual orchestration, sometimes difficult for orchestras to capture, that is called for by Bach in the Brandenburg Concertos are given a lush and faithful treatment by the orchestra and the conductor.

This album, and its complement, the first CD with the other three concertos, makes for an ideal addition to a library of classical music. If you own other versions of the Brandenburg Concertos, you will find this album a little different from what you have heard before due to its use of period instruments.

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