If I was buying one JS Bach recording, which should it be?
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 29 April 2006
While painting doors downstairs, I have been listening to Radio 3 a lot. I keep hearing bits of Bach and thinking 'that's good'.
I heard one piece the other day and bought it only to discover that it was by CPE Bach, JS's son. I'll probably find that the critical view is that CPE Bach is crap, but I like it. So I still need one JS Bach CD.
Which should I buy, at a sensible price? Only one mind.
I hope this choice does not cause Fredrik any angst!!
Nigel
I heard one piece the other day and bought it only to discover that it was by CPE Bach, JS's son. I'll probably find that the critical view is that CPE Bach is crap, but I like it. So I still need one JS Bach CD.
Which should I buy, at a sensible price? Only one mind.
I hope this choice does not cause Fredrik any angst!!
Nigel
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Nigel, I have to get it right! [Nail biting smiley]!
I would send you to something that will sound very safe, but will never fail to give pleasure, and will spefify the performance too. It is not the only way to play the music, but it makes a splendid introduction.
The Six Brandenberg Concertos played by the English Concert directed by Trevor Pinnock on DG Archive. Nowadays it almost certainly issued with the Four Orchestral Suites at bargain price, and actually will be on perhaps four fairly short discs. This is plum stuff. If you buy other recordings of it, I do think you will keep the Pinnock set
Have fun with it. You will adore it. Where next would be for another time, I think! Fredrik
I would send you to something that will sound very safe, but will never fail to give pleasure, and will spefify the performance too. It is not the only way to play the music, but it makes a splendid introduction.
The Six Brandenberg Concertos played by the English Concert directed by Trevor Pinnock on DG Archive. Nowadays it almost certainly issued with the Four Orchestral Suites at bargain price, and actually will be on perhaps four fairly short discs. This is plum stuff. If you buy other recordings of it, I do think you will keep the Pinnock set
Have fun with it. You will adore it. Where next would be for another time, I think! Fredrik
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by pe-zulu
Seconded whole-heartedly, this one:
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/hnum/5000555/rk/classic/rsk/hitlist
Regards,
http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/hnum/5000555/rk/classic/rsk/hitlist
Regards,
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by pe-zulu
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by Tam
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by hungryhalibut
Thanks to you all - such agreement is a rare thing. As it's only £11.97 I need something else to go over the £15 for free postage. A harpsichord piece, I think - what do you suggest?
Nigel
Nigel
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Nigel,
You said one disc!
Okay get Grumiaux's set of the Violin Concertos on Philips! Probably cost as much for it as the rest, but it is wonderful, and would make an intersting contrast as this is not a performance on Baroque style instruments.
No doubt someone better than me will help with the catalogue number. It is one of several performances I have, and I keep coming back to it!
Again it will never leave once you get it! Fred
You said one disc!
Okay get Grumiaux's set of the Violin Concertos on Philips! Probably cost as much for it as the rest, but it is wonderful, and would make an intersting contrast as this is not a performance on Baroque style instruments.
No doubt someone better than me will help with the catalogue number. It is one of several performances I have, and I keep coming back to it!
Again it will never leave once you get it! Fred
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by Tam
Nigel,
If you're after a harpsichord piece, I would get a set of goldberg variations (unfortunately I can't recommend one - as I haven't got around to buying it played on the harpsichord yet, but I'm sure Fredrik will be able to).
regards, Tam
If you're after a harpsichord piece, I would get a set of goldberg variations (unfortunately I can't recommend one - as I haven't got around to buying it played on the harpsichord yet, but I'm sure Fredrik will be able to).
regards, Tam
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Oh Dear!
Get Tatianna Nicholeaeva or Angela Hewitt on Piano (both on Hyperion) or Pierre Hantaii playing harpsichord on Opus 111 (a French label), but he has rerecorded it again for another company, and in my view less nicely.
Persoanlly I would go for the Hantaii on harpsichord on Opus 111 which is what you asked for I think.
[Smiley]. Fredrik
Get Tatianna Nicholeaeva or Angela Hewitt on Piano (both on Hyperion) or Pierre Hantaii playing harpsichord on Opus 111 (a French label), but he has rerecorded it again for another company, and in my view less nicely.
Persoanlly I would go for the Hantaii on harpsichord on Opus 111 which is what you asked for I think.
[Smiley]. Fredrik
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Nigel,
If you can get all three! Not expensive really, and a splendid mixed starting point. Good luck! Fred
If you can get all three! Not expensive really, and a splendid mixed starting point. Good luck! Fred
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by hungryhalibut
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by hungryhalibut
Please ignore the above post, but I can't delete it. I found the Hantaii as a US import, so I've ordered that, as well as the Brandenburg by Pinnock and the Hewitt Goldberg. It will be interesting to contrast the latter on piano and harpsichord.
Many thanks, and goodnight.
Nigel
Many thanks, and goodnight.
Nigel
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Dear Nigel,
I had that, and my LP is still with a good friend. Yes, it is fine, and will give great pleasure. I am not a real strick, get my favourite effort, sort of person. There are lots of good ones and that is one of them! Fred
I had that, and my LP is still with a good friend. Yes, it is fine, and will give great pleasure. I am not a real strick, get my favourite effort, sort of person. There are lots of good ones and that is one of them! Fred
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by erik scothron
J.S.Bach Concerto for two, three and four harpsichords - NAXOS. Inexpensive and jolly good value.
The concertos for three and four harpsichords with the volume up...rock and roll.
Erik
The concertos for three and four harpsichords with the volume up...rock and roll.
Erik
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Erik! Can you imagine the dust from all those copulating skeltons! Only joking, that would be a good fun and enjoyable choice! Fredrik
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by pe-zulu
quote:Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
What about this?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000057CK/qid.../202-2968747-4128631
Nigel
This recording (Pinnock on Archive) would be one of my four recommendations for the Goldbergs.
Actually I am going to revive Fredrik´s Record Library thread and post my recommendations for J.S.Bach´s most important works (exclusive the Cantatas) next week.
Regards,
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by u5227470736789439
Pe-zulu!
I can't wait! What a lovely idea, though it will be a good deal of work! Fredrik
I can't wait! What a lovely idea, though it will be a good deal of work! Fredrik
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by Cosmoliu
Bravo Fredrik,
I agree completely on the Pinnock Brandenbergs and Angela Hewitt's Goldberg Variations. I have Julia Fischer's well reviewed Unaccompanied Violin Sonatas and Partitas on order and look forward to seeing how it compares with my other half dozen or so versions.
Norman
I agree completely on the Pinnock Brandenbergs and Angela Hewitt's Goldberg Variations. I have Julia Fischer's well reviewed Unaccompanied Violin Sonatas and Partitas on order and look forward to seeing how it compares with my other half dozen or so versions.
Norman
Posted on: 29 April 2006 by stephenjohn
Dear Hungry Halibut
you will buy 20 or more CDs now. It is unavoidable.
You might have thought you could have stopped at just one- I can try Bach, it's a free country, just one wont hurt- but you never could.
In fact before you started you were lost: Frederiks recomendation, one with which I wholeheartedly agree, was for three disks packaged as one [originally sold as two, or three depending on which country you live in].
Now you're being recommended the Goldbergs: Angela Hewtitt. On a Naim systen absolutely wonderfully beautiful. But, what about the harpsichord, and then Glen Gould too [two]. And violin partitas, the cello suites, the....
You might have noticed you got a relatively large number of replies in a relatively short time period. This is no coincidence.
Unless you want to spend hundreds of pounds, thousands of hours, stop now. Say no. It might not be not too late.
SJ
you will buy 20 or more CDs now. It is unavoidable.
You might have thought you could have stopped at just one- I can try Bach, it's a free country, just one wont hurt- but you never could.
In fact before you started you were lost: Frederiks recomendation, one with which I wholeheartedly agree, was for three disks packaged as one [originally sold as two, or three depending on which country you live in].
Now you're being recommended the Goldbergs: Angela Hewtitt. On a Naim systen absolutely wonderfully beautiful. But, what about the harpsichord, and then Glen Gould too [two]. And violin partitas, the cello suites, the....
You might have noticed you got a relatively large number of replies in a relatively short time period. This is no coincidence.
Unless you want to spend hundreds of pounds, thousands of hours, stop now. Say no. It might not be not too late.
SJ
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by RiNo
Dear all
Since 1998 I've bought roughly 10 CDs (but alot of records).
Until I bought Angela Hewitt with Bach: French concertos. Then I had to buy: the English concertos, Goldberg variations, keyboard concertos vol 1 & 2 and some more!
I love the music!
Just the other week I bought The Brandenburg concertos on Opus 111 with the Italian oechestra and Alessandro something, also very enjoyable. I think I need to visit the music room more.
Now I''m off to check my Lp stash for teh Pinnock on DG...
Regards
Rickard
Since 1998 I've bought roughly 10 CDs (but alot of records).
Until I bought Angela Hewitt with Bach: French concertos. Then I had to buy: the English concertos, Goldberg variations, keyboard concertos vol 1 & 2 and some more!
I love the music!
Just the other week I bought The Brandenburg concertos on Opus 111 with the Italian oechestra and Alessandro something, also very enjoyable. I think I need to visit the music room more.
Now I''m off to check my Lp stash for teh Pinnock on DG...
Regards
Rickard
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by stephenjohn
see what I mean
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by mtuttleb
quote:The Six Brandenberg Concertos played by the English Concert directed by Trevor Pinnock on DG Archive
I quite a few CD box sets from the English Concert and Trevor Pinnock. All quite enjoyable performances and fine recordings
The Bach Concertos is also on DG archive and very good. This would also go nicely with the Brandenburgs
Regards
Mark
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by stephenjohn
and Rickard, no AH WTC?
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by packerman
I think the Well-tempered Clavier played by Sviatoslav Richter is the best Bach recording I have heard but it is better on Melodia record than on RCA CD.
Ian
Ian
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by mtuttleb
quote:I think the Well-tempered Clavier played by Sviatoslav Richter is the best Bach recording I have heard but it is better on Melodia record than on RCA CD.
Agreed. I have the 2 Melodia-Eurodisc box sets on vinyl and will have a listen today. Thanks for the reminder.
Posted on: 30 April 2006 by Basil
hungryhalibut,
As an alternative to the English Concert/Pinnock recordings of the Brandenburgs, which, incidentally, I find just a little sterile and emotionless. You might want to try and find a recording of the Brandenburgs performed by the ECO conducted by Benjamin Britten (yes, that Benjamin Britten!)
As an alternative to the English Concert/Pinnock recordings of the Brandenburgs, which, incidentally, I find just a little sterile and emotionless. You might want to try and find a recording of the Brandenburgs performed by the ECO conducted by Benjamin Britten (yes, that Benjamin Britten!)