instruments, which means that today we must take our pick. Two recordings of these chamber works have come out simultaneously, with one presenting the cembalo part on a tangent piano, and the other, more conventionally, on the harpsichord. And though Miklos Spanyi's tangent piano is interesting, it doesn't have the beauty and sweetness of Ton Koopman's harpsichord. Koopman and Jordi Savall are two of Baroque music's celebrities, and to get them together is a coup. Moreover, Savall's viola da gamba speaks with a velvety richness that does wonders for these gracefully spare works. Playing on three instruments in turn--the oldest going back to 1550--he shows how different it is from the cello, with which it is often wrongly compared; it's possible that Bach originally wrote these sonatas for flute, but with this combination they work gorgeously. Highly recommended. --Michael Church
instruments, which means that today we must take our pick. Two recordings of these chamber works have come out simultaneously, with one presenting the cembalo part on a tangent piano, and the other, more conventionally, on the harpsichord. And though Miklos Spanyi's tangent piano is interesting, it doesn't have the beauty and sweetness of Ton Koopman's harpsichord. Koopman and Jordi Savall are two of Baroque music's celebrities, and to get them together is a coup. Moreover, Savall's viola da gamba speaks with a velvety richness that does wonders for these gracefully spare works. Playing on three instruments in turn--the oldest going back to 1550--he shows how different it is from the cello, with which it is often wrongly compared; it's possible that Bach originally wrote these sonatas for flute, but with this combination they work gorgeously. Highly recommended. --Michael Church
Title: Bach: Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Main Performer: Catharina Meints (Viola da gamba); Doris Ornstein (Harpsichord)
Date of Release: 09/1994
Label / Distributor: Gallante / -
Pieces in Set: 1
Running Time: 1 hour 41 minutes
Genre(s): Chamber
Producer: Roy Christensen
SPAR Code: ADD
EAN: 755101100127
Work 1
Work Title: (3) Sonatas for Viola da gamba and Harpsichord, BWV1027-29
Excerpt(s): 1. No. 1 in G, BWV1027<br>2. Adagio; Allegro ma non tanto; Andante; Allegro moderato<br>3. No. 2 in D, BWV1028<br>4. No. 3 in G minor, BWV1029<br>5. ii - Adagio; Allegro
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)
Genre: Chamber
Date Written: c1720
Date Recorded: 1980
Main Performer: Catharina Meints (Viola da gamba), Doris Ornstein (Harpsichord)
Advantages: Wonderful transcriptions of JS Bach's majestic music; sensitive, tender, vivacious, effortless and fluid playing. Disadvantages: Nil.
...Variata in A Minor (Italian Variations) BWV 989
7 Gigue from Violin Partita no 3. BWV1006
Trio Sonata in C Major BWV 529
8 Allegro
9 Largo
10 Allegro
Concerto in C minor (after Marcello) BWV 974:
11 Allegro
12 Largo
13 Presto
14 Bist du bei mir (from Anna Magdalena Notebook BWV 508)
Concerto in A major (transposed to C Major) BWV 1055:
15 Allegro
16 Larghetto
17 Allegro ma non tanto
18 Badinerie from Orchestral Suite no.2 BWV 1067
19 Agnus Dei from Mass in B minor BWV 232
Performers:
Alison Balsom (trumpets), Colm Carey (organ), Alina Ibragimova (violin), Alistair Ross (harpsichord & chamber organ), Mark Caudle (violadagamba)
Total running time: 71' 31"
List Price:
$16.98
GBP13.99
(Of course, it can easily be had for less on many online stores. Just Google the disc name and artist.)
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The following information...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...gamba and a harpsichord.
Next comes music composed by Henry Purcell. It is his Chaconne in F. I have heard some of Purcell's music, but this is the first time that I have come across this particular piece. It is truly delightful, and I am pleased hat I bought this particular CD. The Chaconne in F is performed by recorders, harpsichord and violadagamba. It consists of the following: Hark! How all Things in one sound Rejoice (The Fairy Queen) Ye gentle Spirits of the Air (The Fairy Queen) and Let the dreadful Engines of eternal Will (Don Quixote). The Fairy Queen was a revue based on a Midsummer Night's Dream, whilst was a part of a longer piece that was unfinished at Purcell's death.
Arne's concerto No 4 in B flat consists of the pieces Con spirito, Minuetto and Giga. The instruments are Organ, oboes and strings. The organ is used...
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Advantages: Beautiful relaxing music. Rich instrumentation. Played with passion. Disadvantages: Not all instruments are from the period.
...of the Brandenburg concertos - and probably is.
The harpsichord, normally playing continuo under the melody, suddenly rises to stunning solo prominence in the fifth. Played magnificently by George Malcolm, the effective is superlative.
In the final Brandenburg concerto, Bach leaves out the violins (a unique action for a baroque composer), using lower strings only. Menuhin also takes the first viola leading the orchestra in a richness and profound sound that evoke a deep whirlwind-sensation of emotions.
The Marquis of Brandenburg may not have appreciated this, Bach's gift of six concertos, but I certainly do. Bach gave the world a gift to treasure for all time. Yehudi Menuhin, George Malcolm, Christopher and Richard Taylor and the rest of the Bath Festival Orchestra perform them with heart-felt passion.
It may not be the best recording available...
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very helpful 13.04.2006
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