Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(20 customer reviews) 109 of 112 people found the following review helpful
The best authentic recording of the material.,
August 4, 1999 By A Customer
This review is from: Johann Sebastian Bach: 6 Brandenburg Concertos / 4 Orchestral Suites - The English Concert / Trevor Pinnock (Audio CD)
For the novice making a Bach purchase, you've come to the place. The Brandenbergs are Bach's most famous and readily enjoyable orchestral works. The main concern of purchasing this productions is if you actually WANT an authentic recording. The strings are Baroque instruments, not modern ones. They sound "thin" compared to modern instruments(preferable, in my opinion). The horns, especially noticeable in the #1 and #2, are Baroque horns without modern valves; the accuracy of the notes is not quite Pinnock quality (i.e.: Perfect). On the other hand, this recording is the authentic standard; I actually prefer the instruments to the modern ones. // The Suites are ADD, but the analog part was recorded in 1980 and is of extremely high reproduction quality. You WILL NOT notice a difference. The Harpsichord Concertos (BWV 1052-1065) recorded by the same group under the same label are ADD, equally high quality, and make a wise follow-up purchase.
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
Sheer musicianship, unending sequence of delights,
August 20, 2004 Leslie Richford (Selsingen, Lower Saxony) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Johann Sebastian Bach: 6 Brandenburg Concertos / 4 Orchestral Suites - The English Concert / Trevor Pinnock (Audio CD)
The idea of a "perfect recording" is, of course, chimerical. But Trevor Pinnock's "Brandenburg Concertos" and "Orchestral Suites" come pretty close to the mark. There are two factors which put this 3-CD set in the category "very special": One is the sheer musicianship of the young English Concert team. Every soloist seems to want to outdo the others in technical skill, tonal clarity and emotional verve. Listen to Pinnock himself on the harpsichord in the Brandenburg Concert No. 5; listen to Lisa Beznosiuk accompanying him on the traverse flute; listen to Simon Standage, Philip Pickett and Rachel Beckett in Concert No. 4 ... and so the list goes on. This is an unending sequence of instrumental delights, and only someone who dislikes Baroque period instruments on principle will fail to experience heights of enjoyment of this exquisite sound. Which brings me to the second factor: Seldom have I heard such a brilliant recording! Deutsche Grammophon is generally known for superior sound,...Read more
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Outstanding period performances,
February 20, 2007 Joey Joe Joe Jr. Shabadoo (Minneapolis, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Johann Sebastian Bach: 6 Brandenburg Concertos / 4 Orchestral Suites - The English Concert / Trevor Pinnock (Audio CD)
These recordings are excellent. Pinnock's Brandenburg concertos remain the standard for period instruments, offering an exceptional combination of musicality and authenticity. The Overtures are also well-done, although I still prefer the readings of Reinhard Goebel and Musica Antiqua Koln to these. Still, as a low-priced compilation of Bach's most popular orchestral works, this is an excellent set, and you could do much worse. Those who are new to classical music will find this set to be a great starting point.
As far as interpretation goes, Pinnock's ensemble features fast tempi but never to the point of sounding ridiculous; these are not "authentic for the sake of authentic" performances at all. The one notable exception is the slightly rushed opening of Overture No. 2, although this is not detrimental to the final product. The English Concert plays these works with great joy - listen to Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 in particular - but also with great respect. I have heard...Read more
