Brandenburg Concertos

HM Linde, Linde Consort. [1980 ... ish]

Mogens Woldike, Royal Danish Court Orchestra. [1950-53]

Otto Klemperer, Philharmonia Orchestra. [1960]

Adlof Busch, Busch Chamber Players. [1935]

ATB from George

Really top notch recordings within the Zimmermann box-set : )

Debs

Reiner/

Sylvia Marlowe (Harpsichord)
Julius Baker (Flute)
Hugo Kolberg (Violin)

1949 Recording.

I have heard many, and have yet to hear one I like better than Bach Collegium Japan dir. by Masaaki Suzuki on the BIS label.

http://www.eclassical.com/cond...chestral-suites.html

This is a really nice set, but I think the Bach Collegium Japan tops it.

I've had 20 years of pleasure out of this set:

 

Haven't tried them myself, but friends whose judgement I trust say they're rather special.

 

Mark

Dear George

I have heard all - to my knowledge - existing recordings of the Brandenburg concertos except one, which means that I have heard about 160 sets. Unfortunately I do not own them all.

But, but, if I should choose one single recording - thanks God, that I shall not - I would precisely chose the Linde Consort recording. Expertly played courteous conversation on a higher musical level.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000002SS1/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1393790807&sr=8-2&keywords=bach+linde+consort&condition=used

Cheers

Poul

 

 

More recently, I've heard very good things about the Dunedin Consort on the Scottish Label:

 

Haven't tried them myself, but friends whose judgement I trust say they're rather special.

 

Mark

It is a middle of the road, but most sympathetic version. Like the recording led by Richard Egarr (Harmonia Mundi) the pitch is rather low resulting in a more relaxed approach.

Certainly an noble and interesting version, particularly if you think of Suzuki´s second recording of the set, which uses violoncelli da spalla, which is the one you refer to..

Dear Poul,

I knew that you would post on this.

Yes the Linde set is my favourite. I have made several friends get this version in spite of it being long deleted. It can be had on Amazon from time to time.

My second favourite is the Busch recording, which can claim almost no correspondence with modern musicological understanding of the stylish performance of this music, and yet manages to get so much right by musical intuition!

Very best wishes from George

Thanks for the recommendations so far. I have ordered the Linde through Arkiv, and eagerly await it's arrival.

The reason for starting this thread, is that I have been listening to what I think is a great recording of these works by the Concerto Italiano and Rinaldo Alessandrini on the Naive label. It features very fresh, unmannered, and spritely playing, and a superb recording.

BBM

This is an excellent record, with furthermore an excellent SQ. Concerning the old versions with modern instruments it is like Marmite either you love it, or you hate it.

Freiburger Barock Orchester


Dear Colleagues,

For  many years, my favourite was the cherished  Decca double LP set , with Britten and the English Chamber Orchestra, last but not least also due to its “legendary” cult status.

There were other changing temporary preferences, both on LP and CD.

Just recently, I read this really favourable review in the German “Fonoforum” (best compared to the well-known “Gramophone" )   with top markings of both musical performance and sound quality.

The Freiburger Barock Orchester, after many years of experience in the historically informed performance practice, recorded the Brandenburg Concertos   - and they do perform well indeed.

Interesting feature include their tuning to 392 Hz as pitch, which gives a warm sound – but no need to worry. This is not music to fall asleep – their tempi and dynamic playing are surely keeping you awake !

Beside the musical quality I’m also very impressed with the recording & sound quality  (….alas so far only in digital, and not analogue)  ...

Needless to say: A - new – favourite to stay for a while…..



Best regards

Urs

Link to some samples:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classi...-Nr-1-6/hnum/4015673

I really enjoy the Britten/ECO recording. It just seems right even though modern instruments are used.

BBM

No love for the Il Giardino Armonico set? Just bought it last week.

The Il Giardino Armonico set is wonderful. It was the second set I bought many moons ago. Lots of love here.

BBM

..a recent good recording....

..and this is also another interesting version...

   +1 Wonderful set.

Bert

I also have the Concerto Italiano recording which I think is very fine indeed.

BBM

Has anyone got an opinion about the Harnoncourt Concentus Musicus Wein recording from the 60's?

God, I'm listening to Bill Evans and I just can't believe what Scott LaFaro does on that bass!

BBM

BBM,

The Harnoncourt Version, with Concentus Musicus, from 1964 I own only on vinyl:
http://www.discogs.com/Johann-...te-1-6/master/345059

Their tempi I would compare with Britten’s, meaning remarkably slower than the “Freiburger Barock Orchester”. The warm & lush orchestral sound however is typical of the historical interpretation, which of course was the trademark of the Concentus due to their use of “original” historical instruments. I don’t know what instruments Britten & ECO used.

My wife e.g. definitely prefers the slower version, with the Freiburger as “much too hectic and difficult to listen to”. Myself, I have this affinity to the newer (?) faster interpretations of baroque music, including also for instance Vivaldi, etc.

You may listen to samples here:

http://connect.pure.com/p#!/de...s-1-6-%25281964%2529

Best Regards

Urs

PS: Being an analogue junky, I make no secret: I prefer the Harnoncourt version - from the sound quality point of view only - to most of the digital varieties I own.
 "Digitalos" in this forum please refrain from comments, such as: “get yourself a prober CD player…." – I assure you, I DO own (one of) the best that was available 5 years ago; being in the NAIM Forum ….guess, which one…!!

Bump

The first Harnoncourt version (1963) is rather traditional, the only significant HIP trait being the use of period instruments.

And I agree about the Freiburger´s new version, which is more hectic than their better first version (2000 DVD).

I strongly second Geroge´s recommendation above of the Linde Consort version, which is fine HIP without being hectic at all. If you are fortunate, you may be able to find an LP item.