The Brandenburg Concertos seem to be Bach's most popular works by far, and there are so many recordings of them out there--on period instruments and "modern," and at all price ranges. Of course,

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6

The Brandenburg Concertos seem to be Bach's most popular works by far, and there are so many recordings of them out there--on period instruments and "modern," and at all price ranges. Of course, it's hard to pick out one or even two to call the "best"--but this reissue of a 1989 recording by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment has a good claim for the title of "Best Buy Brandenburgs." These performances don't have the splashy extroversion of Il Giardino Armonico or the caffeine-pumped, high-velocity thrill of Musica Antiqua KÃ¶ln, but they're not overly reserved or dull, as some English ensembles are accused of being. The OAE's instrumental playing is very skillful indeed, with particularly nice work from the horns in the third movement of the First Concerto, and from trumpeter Mark Bennett in the Second; and the tempos are moderately quick (which means that they would have been considered rather fast before 1980 or so), but without being breathless. The slow movements sing sweetly--the viola playing of Monica Huggett and Pavlo Besnosiuk in the slow movement of the Sixth Concerto is especially lovely--and the quick outer movements have an infectiously bouncy pulse. If money is no object, you might want to consider Il Giardino Armonico or the Akademie fÃ¼r Alte Musik Berlin, but these here are surely the best Brandenburgs available at such a low price. --Matthew Westphal
Country USA
Manufacturer Erato Disques
Binding Audio CD
ReleaseDate 1999-06-08
UnitCount 2
UPCs 724356155220
EANs 0724356155220

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Erato Disques
Binding	Audio CD
ReleaseDate	1999-06-08
UnitCount	2
UPCs	724356155220
EANs	0724356155220

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1 - 6

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