Bach: Organ Works, Vol. 9

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

...works by Bach. This was not always the case however. They were originally not very well received. Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the giants of the baroque period, presented the set of concertos as a gift to the Margrave Christian Ludwig of Brandenburg in 1721. The Margrave never even acknowledged the gift let alone thanked Bach for his work. For the next thirteen years, the concertos were to languish in the marquis' library untouched. It was only on his death, that they were then released and shared with the public. There are many, many recordings of the Brandenburg concertos. This particular album is a 1959 recording of Yehudi Menuhin and the Bath Festival Orchestra published in May, 1995 by Emi Classical. Can a recording from nearly 50 years ago possibly stand the test of time? The simple answer is yes it can and does so superbly... Read review

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Advantages: Brilliant, stirring, excitingly unpredictable, fresh performance; "genius" is not hyperbole in Argerich's case.
Disadvantages: Reflecting its LP origins, the CD lasts only 50' 16"!

...lover’s library, and that of any music lover curious about one of the world’s genuine living legends. Find out for yourself why so many who have experienced that rarefied, divine, yet deeply human musical world created by Martha Argerich so hate to leave it. Now, if only she would record the Goldberg Variations, or any other solo Bach work … *sigh*… CD TITLE: JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH: Toccata BWV 911 * Partita BWV 826 * English Suite No. 2 BWV 807 1 Toccata in C minor, BWV 911 Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826 2 Sinfonia 3 Allemande 4 Courante 5 Sarabande 6 Rondeau 7 Capriccio English Suite No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807 8 Prelude 9 Allemande 10 Courante 11 Sarabande 12 Bourée I/II 13 Gigue Martha Argerich, piano Deutsche Grammophon ©1980 289 463 604... 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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