Bach: Concerto for Oboe & Violin; Suites Nos 1 & 3

Advantages: J. S. Bach; all musicians and vocalists; Karajan.
Disadvantages: Karajan's big, ponderous sound and historical inauthenticity, for some.

...like huge raindrops high above the stage. A massive pipe organ stands to one side. I do wonder how good the acoustics of the place is. (Alas, bad timing robbed us of the chance to attend a concert here during our visit to Berlin last September, and we had to be content with surveying the distinctive circus tent-like buildings in the complex from the outside.) VIOLIN CONCERTO IN E MAJOR, BWV 1042 The E Minor Violin Concerto holds a special niche in my musical heart, having been one of the early pieces that introduced me to the magic and mystery of J. S. Bach when I was just entering my teens. The work has yet to grow old for this listener. Mr Karajan here throws the entire weight of the modern symphony orchestra wholly at the service of the piece, producing a huge, all-encompassing sound that might seem foreign to the composer... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful relaxing music. Rich instrumentation. Played with passion.
Disadvantages: Not all instruments are from the period.

...!! The second concerto is completely different with an unexpected but delectable quartet of trumpet, recorder, oboe, and violin soloists set against the main body of strings and continuo. The third concerto is more conventional and straightforward using just three violins, three violas and three cellos with harpsichord and bass continuo. Each of the three instruments are given equal dominance and the music flows almost conversationally between rising to a boisterous bursts of energy. In the fourth concerto, recorders are heard in the distance over the stringed accompaniment. The recorders, played by brothers Christopher and Richard Taylor (famous for playing flutes with the Beatles on Fool on the Hill and Magical Mystery Tour) with clarity and precision, exude an irresistible charm and sweetness. This is often considered to be the lightest... Read review

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Advantages: Romantic orchestral music
Disadvantages: Only 1 hour - eat quickly for a romantic dinner

...Johann Sebastian Bach, giant among Baroque composers, was a prolific writer whose versatility and creativity resulted in a wealth of musical works with a diversity ranging from sacred choral works, keyboard music to orchestra music. The CD, Concerto for Two Violins in D minor / Violin Concertos in A minor & E minor, is an orchestral recording conducted by Salvatore Accardo, in which two violins (Anne-Sophie Mutter and Salvatore Accardo) / solo violin (Anne-Sophie Mutter) are contrasted with a larger orchestra (English Chamber Orchestra) of strings and bass continuo instrument the harpsichord. Bach is often criticized for his strict attention to form. Whilst, I greatly admire Bach for his intellectual and methodical approach to composition, what I enjoy most is the harmonious and melodic music that results. This CD is a superb... Read review

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