bach

this is the best new bach recording i have heard in a very long time :

Bach - Brandenburg Concertos /
Il Giardino armonico

you should try the b minor mass. the recording i have is terrific, from the musical heritage society. i checked there but couldn't find it (they had about a dozen others). maybe someone else can help you there.

bach goldberg variations - glenn gould (1954?)
many on the forum would disagree with this, but i love it. i'm sure you'll get more advice on this one.

A good recording of Bach? Since he wrote so much, that's a pretty broad request. Also, you leave no hint of whether you prefer modern or period instruments, which becomes especially important in the keyboard works. (Can you stand the harpsichord?) I'm more of a modern instruments guy generally, but not always. That written, a few suggestions:


Goldberg Variations: Andras Schiff (ECM) or Murray Perahia (Sony)

Well Tempered Clavier: Friedrich Gulda (Philips) or Edwin Fischer (Naxos - historical recording)

Cello Suites: Pierre Fournier (DG Arkiv)

Violin Sonatas & Partitas: Artur Grumiaux (Philips)

Keyboard Concertos: Perahia (Sony)

French Suites: Glenn Gould (Sony)

St Matthew Passion: Paul McCreesh (DG Arkiv)


A few months ago I splurged on the complete sacred canatatas led by Harnoncourt and Leonhardt on Teldec. That's 60 CDs of cantata goodness, and so far it's been a remarkable set. I don't mean to say you should buy all of the cantatas, but some may be a good idea.


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Tadd,
That's a superb list and I would not argue with any of your selections but may I suggest the addition of the Orchestral Suites and the Brandenburg Concertos? If modern instruments are preferred, Neville Marriner with the ASMF would be my choice.

Regards,
Ken

My favourite recent Bach conductors are JE Gardiner (the masses and cantatas), Philippe Herreweghe (cantatas) and Ton Koopman (organ works and cantatas)
I can also recommend the Bach Collegium Japan under Masaaki Suzuki to be very good (cantatas).

regards,
mat

Now that Pablo Casals cello suites are on Naxos for little money, try these without reservation.
Huw

thanks too all replied i will try brandenburg concertos by john elliot gardiner or masaaki suzuki tel