Classical Bassoon Concertos

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

...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. Baroque works... Read review

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Advantages: Highly burnished, engaging, musically intelligent and emotionally mature playing; beautiful tone is never saccharine.
Disadvantages: Nil.

...of Ms Clein performing the Elgar Cello Cto. here (excerpt only): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elgar-Cello-Concerto-Natalie-Clein/dp/B00 0 UNBQXC CD Notes: Edward ELGAR (1857 - 1934) 1. Cello Concerto In E Minor, Op.85 2. Salut D'amour (Arr. J. Milone) 3. La Capricieuse (Arr. J. Milone) 4. Romance For Bassoon And Orchestra (Arr. J. Milone) 5. In Moonlight (Arr. J. Milone) 6. Chanson De Matin (Arr. J. Milone) 7. Sospiri (Arr. J. Milone) Natalie Clein, cello Vernon Handley Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra Audio CD (24 September 2007) Label: EMI Classics Amazon.co.uk price: £11.98... Read review

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Advantages: Good example of early 20th century French/European music. Cheap price
Disadvantages: Not distinct or ground-breaking enough

...--- INTRODUCTION --- -QUICK FACTS- Nationality: French Born: Paris 1899 Died: Paris 1963 Specialist genres: Stage works, concertos, piano music. Francis Poulenc had a relatively well-supported life, being born into a family of pharmaceutical manufacturers he never had to earn a living. Like many famous composers he began learning his skill at a very young age, at five he started the piano. He specifically tried not to in his learning process to be influenced by other major composers, so to keep his music as much his own as possible as stated by his self-description "I am a musician without a label". Influences which did affect him though were the immediate post-ww1 years which in certain parts of France had created a new atmosphere of hope and vision away from the horrors of war. Additionally the Parisian street life of cafe's, music... Read review

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