Bach: Keyboard Concertos Nos. 1, 2 & 4

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This disc may not prove as indispensable as Perahia's splendid Goldberg Variations. The most trivial reason is that it doesn't have as much music on it (only 53:04). But the appeal may also be not as wide. The Goldberg performance encompasses as wide a range of expression as the music does--which is really saying something! This concerto disc is more uniform in style, thoroughly modern and generally rather hard-driving. Perhaps the tension was generated by the interplay of pianist-conductor and orchestra, but it's palpable throughout. This does keep your attention riveted on the music, although it leaves some aspects of Bach unexpressed. If you're willing to go along for the ride, though, the disc does have a lot to offer. Perahia's execution is superb, and he decorates the text with his own trills and embellishments in a very convincing way. The orchestra keeps things moving right along. This may be a somewhat one-sided approach to Bach, but it certainly is stimulating. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Keyboard Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, BWV 1052: I. Allegro
Keyboard Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, BWV 1052: II. Adagio
Keyboard Concerto No. 1 In D Minor, BWV 1052: III. Allegro
Keyboard Concerto No. 2 In E Major, BWV 1053: I. { }
Keyboard Concerto No. 2 In E Major, BWV 1053: II. Siciliano
Keyboard Concerto No. 2 In E Major, BWV 1053: III. Allegro
Keyboard Concerto No. 4 In A Major, BWV 1055: I. Allegro
Keyboard Concerto No. 4 In A Major, BWV 1055: II. Larghetto
Keyboard Concerto No. 4 In A Major, BWV 1055: III. Allegro ma non tanto

Amazon.com

This disc may not prove as indispensable as Perahia's splendid Goldberg Variations. The most trivial reason is that it doesn't have as much music on it (only 53:04). But the appeal may also be not as wide. The Goldberg performance encompasses as wide a range of expression as the music does--which is really saying something! This concerto disc is more uniform in style, thoroughly modern and generally rather hard-driving. Perhaps the tension was generated by the interplay of pianist-conductor and orchestra, but it's palpable throughout. This does keep your attention riveted on the music, although it leaves some aspects of Bach unexpressed. If you're willing to go along for the ride, though, the disc does have a lot to offer. Perahia's execution is superb, and he decorates the text with his own trills and embellishments in a very convincing way. The orchestra keeps things moving right along. This may be a somewhat one-sided approach to Bach, but it certainly is stimulating. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Masterful.......2007-01-20

Like all the other reviewers below, this recording has me singing its praise. Perahia's playing is stunning and St Martin in the Fields delivers a beautiful sound. This cd (and the second set) is well worth your money. Also, if you enjoy Bach's Brandenberg Concertos, listen to his 6th Keyboard Concerto - it is the 4th Brandenberg Concerto for piano.

this is very-very good.......2003-02-20

First of all, it is a speechless joint effort of the creator of the music and the presenter of the product from 100s of years ago, which sounds like it will glow forever.
Last of all
I cannot say any thing more but listen.
emil
from Middle East

Sparkling Wit.......2002-07-04

Of course Perhaia is a great pianist and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields is a great ensemble. But here I believe we get more than just the sum of the two. I was fortunate to hear a concert of Perhaia and St. Martin in the Fields here in Ann Arbor and they performed the first of these concertos. I have to tell you that the piece is so full of wit and fun that I chuckled out loud (softly).

You know that you have great musicians performing when they have so much command and understanding of what they are playing that they are willing to tell the musical jokes (witty jokes) with subtlety and grace. This is wonderful stuff.

The playing is tight, with the players listening to each other in ways that are too often ignored in larger ensemble pieces. Imitations and joint phrases are actually pulled off like they are in a string quartet. Yes, the Academy is a smaller orchestra that usually performs without a conductor so they are used to ensemble playing. This is just proof that they have accomplished what they set out to do. An chamber orchestra that plays as if it were a single musical instrument with almost endless musical colors and capabilities.

The other two concertos are just as great and fun as the first. There is also a companion disk with 3,5,6, and 7. So, there is even more to enjoy!

Wonderful, but don't forget Hae-won Chang.......2002-05-28

Mr Perahia is never short of wonderful, but those of us who love music but baulk at full price should consider the two Hae-won Chang discs of Bach keyboard concertos on Naxos. Miss Chang is always inventive, always musical - she plays like an angel - and the eastern European orchestra is supportive and fresh. Mr Perahia is, simply, one of the great pianists but Hae-won's Bach is just fabulous (too).

Another stunning Perahia/Bach disc.......2002-05-25

This is one of the worlds greatest pianists and togheter with Academy of St. Martin in the fields and good sound-engineering this keybord concertos sounds lively, fresh, lyrical and it comes without any ego-mannerism.

Perahia shows on this disc(and his other Bach discs) why he has won grammys, been nominated a couple of times too and more imprtent than a grammy, musically speaking :-) get last years Grammophone award for best instrumental album.

My only complain about this SET/DISC (not about the music) is that it could been more filled up (it is a bit short only ca 53-54 minutes) otherwise music, performance, sound is stunning.

This one with Perahia et al he played conertos by modern Steinway piano instrument and my choise for harpsichord/clavecin, having concerto no. 1, BMW 1052 on it, is Pirre Hantai and le concert francais on record company Astrée/naive 1994 (remastred 2001 -excellent sound). Hantais superb versions also contains BMW 1054 from Perahia Bach keybord concertos including no.3, no.5-7.

On this well performed disc Sony engineers could have tuned up that theorbo (bass lute) a little more and not put it so much in the background but it is a minor because othervise it is a very well engineered disc.

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Affettuoso
III. Allegro
I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Assai
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Assai
I. Vivace
II. Largo Ma Non Tanto
III. Allegro

Tracks:

Rhapsody No. 2 (Lassu [Moderato] - Friss [Allegro Moderato])
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andante Tranquillo
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante
I. Allegretto (Scherzando)
II. Allegro
II. Adagio

Tracks:

Romance No. 1 In G Major
I. Allegro Ma Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Larghetto
III. Rondo (Allegro) (Cadenza: Kreisler)
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio
III. Finale (Allegro Energico)

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 In F Major, Op. 50
I. Allegro Non Troppo (Cadenza: Kreisler)
II. Adagio
III. Allegro Giocoso, Ma Non Troppo Vivace - Poco Piu Presto
I. Allegro Molto Appassionato
II. Andante
III. Allegretto Non Troppo - Allegro Molto Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Andante
III. Allegro Molto
I. Andante Tranquillo
II. Presto Capriccioso Alla Napolitana & Trio (Canzonetta)
III. Vivace

Tracks:

I. Allegro Moderato (Cadenza: Menuhin)
II. Adagio Molto
III. Finale (Presto) (Cadenza: Menuhin)
I. Allegro
II. Andante Cantabile
III. Rondo (Andante Grazioso - Allegro Ma Non Troppo)
I. Allegro Maestoso
II. Andante
III. Presto

Tracks:

I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Scherzando (Allegro Molto)
III. Intermezzo (Allegretto Non Troppo)
IV. Andante
V. Rondo (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Andantino Quasi Allegretto
III. Molto Moderato E Maestoso - Allegro Non Troppo
Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, Op. 28
Havanaise, Op. 83

Tracks:

I. Allegro Maestoso (Cadenza: Emile Sauret)
II. Adagio Espressivo
III. Rondo (Allegro Spiritoso)
I. Andante - Moderato - Cadenza
II. Adagio Religioso
III. Scherzo (Vivace) & Trio
IV. Finale (Allegro)
I. Allegro Non Troppo
II. Cadenza
III. Adagio
IV. Allegro Con Fuoco

Tracks:

Serenade Melancolique
I. Allegro Moderato
II. Adagio Di Molto
III. Allegro Ma Non Tanto
I. Praeludium (Largo)
I. Allegro Cavalleresco
II. Intermezzo (Poco Adagio)
II. Rondo (Allegretto Scherzando)

Tracks:

I. Allegro
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Adagio
III. Presto
I. Allegro
II. Adagio
III. Allegro
I. Allegro Non Molto
II. Largo
III. Allegro
I. Vivace - Allegro - Adagio - Vivace - Allegro - Largo Andante
II. Allegro
III. Grave - Andante Largo - Allegro
Fantasia Concertante On A Theme Of Corelli

Customer Reviews:

Mostly Magnificent Menuhin, with a Few Reservations.......2004-01-06

The recent trend toward classical box sets focusing on the performer instead of the composer (see my reviews of the various DG/Decca "Original Masters" sets) continues with EMI's new "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist." Sure EMI's past sets have showcased individual performances by Samson Francois, Eugen Jochum and Rudolf Kempe to name a few, but it was always under the heading of a given composer's works, and in the cases mentioned above, to Chopin's piano pieces, Bruckner's Symphonies and Strauss' Orchestral Works respectively. Therefore, this Menuhin collection is the first of EMI's "Budget Box Sets" to showcase a performer playing the works of a variety of composers.

As Menuhin was an EMI recording artist for an incredible 68 years (1931-99), his performances for the label number in the hundreds. With so much music from which to choose, this 10-disc set aims "to highlight some of those alternative versions, including recordings that have not been easily available since the days of LP and others that have never previously appeared on CD." Therefore, the obvious mainstream, easily attainable recordings are omitted here -- for example, the Beethoven/Mendelssohn VCs with Furtwangler, the Elgar VC with the composer conducting, and the Bruch/Mendelssohn VCs with Susskind and Kurtz.

However, a lot of this material has been on disc before on titles which the serious collector most likely already owns. Most of the Bach is currently available as part of the Bach "Budget Box Series" title. The Bruch, Mendelssohn, Brahms and Vivaldi VCs were all available in the now out-of-print 2CD EMI Seraphim series. The Elgar and the Walton are still available in the "British Composers" series. And perhaps most annoyingly, the previously unpublished Beethoven VC and Tchaikovsky "Serenade melancolique" (available as a single disc), and the Beethoven Romance No. 2 (available on an EMI Encore title) were both reissued just a few months back.

But let's focus on the positive, which are the other rare performances, the most significant being the never before reissued 1954 performance of Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 4 with John Pritchard and the Philharmonia. Other elusive recordings include Viuextemps and Paganini VCs with Fistoulari, Lalo and Saint-Saens works with Goossens, and excellent Berg and Bartok accounts with Boulez. Though I'm delighted at their inclusion, of lesser importance is a 1965 Bartok VC No. 2 with Dorati -- his mono EMI with Furtwangler and an earlier account with Dorati on Mercury Living Presence are far superior. Also, neither the Sibelius (Boult, 1955) nor Nielsen (Woldike, 1952) Concertos are truly Menuhin's cups of tea.

My last complaint has to do with the packaging. I know I'm being rather trite but it seems that EMI has taken the "slim" out of slim, paper-sleeved box sets with their latest batch of releases. Both this title and the new box of Liszt Orchestral Works by Masur are noticeably thicker than previous EMI sets featuring a similar number of discs. A minor point, but us serious classical collectors need every centimeter of space on our increasingly crowded CD shelves, not to mention the amount of wasted packaging.

Overall though, despite the fact that "Yehudi Menuhin - The Violinist" is not as essential a reissue as its counterparts in the "Original Masters" series, it is a delightful set that most collectors will thoroughly enjoy.

Bach: Concertos for Piano and Orchestra Nos. 1-5 & 7

Average customer rating:

The Best Performance Ever Achieved
A Review in Dissent
"Don't be frightened, Mr. Gould is here ..."
In The Spirit...
I'm prejudiced, and these are my favorite versions.

Bach: Concertos for Piano and Orchestra Nos. 1-5 & 7

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: English Suites, BWV 806-811
The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II
Bach: Sonatas for Violin & Harpsichord, BWV 1014-1019; Sonatas for Viola da Gamba & Harpsichord, BWV 1027-1029
French Suites - 70th Anniversary Edition
The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I

ASIN: B0000028ND
Release Date: 1992-10-27

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1053
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1053
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in E Major, BWV 1053
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054

Tracks:

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 7 in G minor, BWV 1058
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 7 in G minor, BWV 1058
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 7 in G minor, BWV 1058

Amazon.com essential recording

Glenn Gould was this century's greatest Bach player, so these legendary recordings are self-recommending. While other fine pianists have made powerful statements in this music, no one sounds anything like Gould. His phenomenal clarity of articulation, digital control, and well, just plain interesting way with the music set him completely apart from the competition. With playing of this individuality and quality, it's pointless to engage in any debate with respect to the appropriateness of the piano versus the harpsichord. Scholars and pedants may continue to argue, but the fact is, it doesn't matter. Great musicianship always serves great music best. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

The Best Performance Ever Achieved.......2007-02-12

This is a superlative recording of one of the most famous pieces by Kapellmeister Johann Sebastian Bach played by the best Bach interpreter, Mr. Glenn Gould. I value this recording so much that I often find myself avoiding listening to it too much because this recording is like a beautiful sunset, which should only be fully enjoyed without any wastefulness when all the conditions are ideal. I have owned this recording for many years, but I decided that I have no choice but to write a review now after reading a very gratuitous and childish review below by a certain [...]. While I do not care about the provincialism of other people, I was very worried that some novices reading that review might be mislead and coerced away from this most delightful recording and miss the experience of a lifetime.

For those that do not know, Glenn Gould is considered to be the best Bach interpreter of this century by the vast majority of non-professional listeners and professional artists. Gould's performances have become a standard; so much so that any new Bach performance on a piano is almost immediately compared to Gould. True, there are some critics who believe that Gould uses too much staccato in some of Bach's compositions, but nevertheless, if we remember that most of these pieces Bach had composed for a harpsichord, which is a staccato instrument by nature, we can understand why Gould would select such a radical approach.

Bach's fugues are very complex and often the performer is faced with a challenge to communicate three, four, or even more melodies simultaneously. A romantic, legato performance hopelessly mixes all the notes together drowning any possibility of expressing all these melodies at the same time - at best, some of the melodies go into the background, e.g., the left hand notes, while other melodies, like the notes for the right hand, come to the surface. Only a very scrupulous listening can reveal these melodies buried in the background. What makes so many people to fall in love with Glenn Gould is his uncanny ability to not only express all the melodies distinctly at the same time, but also to bring his left and right hand notes together into a mellifluous, sometimes tempestuous, freely flowing melody. Everything is right there for you to listen to.

Even if you are one of those harsh critics who absolutely cannot accept a staccato performance, I am sure that you will still like this performance because the recording flows so well that one can't argue that Glenn uses too much staccato. I am not a listener who is limited only to Gould. I embrace many different styles of performances simply because no one interpretation is the "only way." If you are very interested to hear how else these compositions can be performed, such as more romantically, I recommend you listen to these same compositions played by [...]. Both do an excellent job. You will also have the opportunity to compare these performances to Glenn Gould's interpretation. Additionally, I would recommend that you hear these concertos being performed on a violin, organ, and harpsichord. After so many years and so many different recordings I have realized that Gould's performance is the absolute best. It doesn't mean there aren't other excellent recordings; it means that Glenn adds something extra to the performance that somehow when you combine those extra features with the genius of Johann Sebastian Bach, you suddenly seem to reinvent one of the greatest works of arts of the Western Civilization.

This recording is indeed breathtaking. I have read several books on Bach's works and his biography and I have to say that his genius is divine, yet I am not even religious! Mozart and Beethoven, among numerous other composers, have revered Bach and learned from him as well. At least for me, there has never been any composer as powerful as Herr Bach. If you are new to Bach, this recording is a great starting point. Make sure that you continue your reveling odyssey and listen to Bach's other greatest works[...] If you have any questions about Bach and his performances, feel free to contact me (ekhekoyan at yahoo.com).

A Review in Dissent.......2006-06-06

I find myself in disagreement with all the other reviewers of this performance. I think Gould does both emotional and technical violence to Bach's music. One reviewer speaks of Gould's "staccato" attacks, and praises the interpretation anyway. Doesn't that seem incoherent? My problem with the performance, however, is not so much what I hear but what I don't hear. First, there's the chromaticism of Bach's music, which I don't hear in Gould's performance because it's hammer-heavy; dissonance is most piquant when prepared by clear, transparent consonance (which is nearly impossible, I grant, on a modern piano). Then there's the counterpoint, the joyful mathematical complexity of Bach's music, which Gould sacrifices to his thundering top-voice dramaticization.
I wrote a previous negative review of this disk, which I find has been eradicated. In other words, censorship is possible on Amazon. I'm quite disappointed.

"Don't be frightened, Mr. Gould is here ...".......2006-04-24

I dare to say that nobody could even better perform with the same clarity and precision as those of Glenn Gould. He demonstrates why J.S. Bach is still the maestro of all masters of all time.

I'm a researcher, and believe it or not, I get my ideas when I listen to Bach. This collection is a must-to-listen for everybody who needs an illuminated inspiration in his/her subject.

Listen and enjoy.

In The Spirit..........2005-08-23

Glenn Gould is one of the most controversial pianists ever ... some people love him ,some hate him ,but they all agree that he is a true bravura player and a serious virtuoso on the piano .
When it comes to bach we immediately recall the famous saying : Bach is the mathematician of music , and Gould's famous ( mechanical ) technique on the piano really sets us in the mood for bach ... i dont believe that J.S himself would have played those pieces better than Gould ...

I have always been fond of the piano concertos ,and i listened to them performed by multiple artists ,but Gould is the maestro undebatably .

I would also recommend Bach's partitas by Gould too ...

Enjoy

I'm prejudiced, and these are my favorite versions........2005-08-04

I started listening to Glenn Gould almost 50 years ago, and have always
admired the precision with which he played. It evokes very refined
emotions and clarity of thought, as I think Bach intended.

Average customer rating:

Itzhak Perlman Collection

Manufacturer: EMI
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000DOKC
Release Date: 1995-01-01

Average customer rating:

A Baroque Festival

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0002PYSWE
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Mouret: Fanfare ("Masterpiece Theater" Theme)
Pachelbel: Canon in D Major
Vivaldi: The Four Seasons, Op. 8:"The Spring" in E major, No. 1: Allegro
Largo e pianissimo sempre
Allegro: Rustic Dance
"The Summer" in G minor, No. 2:Allegro non molto
Adagio: Presto
Presto: Impetuous summer storm
"The Fall" in F major, No. 3: Dancing and Singing of the Peasants: Allegro
The Sleeping Drunkards: Adagio
The Hunt: Allegro
"The Winter" in F minor, No. 4: Allegro non molto
Largo
Allegro
Bach: Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
Handel: Largo from "Xerxes"
Marcello: Oboe Concerto in D minor: Andante e spiccato
Adagio
Presto
Fux: Gigue

Tracks:

Bach: "Brandenburg" Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047: [Allegro]
Andante
Allegro assai
"Brandenburg" Concerto No. 3 in G major, BWV 1048: [Allegro]
Allegro
"Brandenburg" Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050:Allegro
Affettuoso
Allegro
Bach: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Handel: "Messiah" Highlights: Overture
Comfort ye
Every Valley
And the Glory of the Lord
Glory to God
Hallelujah!
And the Trumpet Shall Sound

Tracks:

Handel: "Water Music" Suite: Overture
Adagio
Allegro; Andante; Allegro
Minuet
Air
Minuet
Bourrie
Hornpipe
Allegro moderato
Handel: Royal Fireworks Music: Overture
Bourrie
"The Peace:" Largo alla Siciliana
La Rijouissance: Allegro
Minuet
Minuet
Purcell: Rondeau
Purcell: Tune in D major
Bach: Arioso for Brass
Vivaldi: Allegro for Brass
Bach: Prelude and Fugue in C major, BWV 846
Bach: Sleepers, Wake

Tracks:

J. Clarke: Trumpet Voluntary
Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Ouverture
Rondeau
Sarabande
Bourrie
Polonaise: Lentement
Menuet
Badinerie
Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV 1066: Ouverture [Grave; Allegro]
Courante
Gavotte
Forlane
Menuet
Bourrie
Passepied
Bach: Air for the "G" String
Purcell: Symphony from "The Fairy Queen," Act Four: Allegro marziale
Canzona
Largo
Allegro maestoso
Adagio
Allegro maestoso
Telemann: "A Hero's Music": La Vaillance
La Grace
L'Armenet
Handel: Joy to the World

Average customer rating:

Excellent Baroque collection - everyone should have this!
Entry level baroque

Baroque Festival

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Fanfare ('Masterpiece Theatre' Theme)
Canon In D Major
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Spring' In E Major, No. 1: Allegro
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Spring' In E Major, No. 1: Largo e pianissimo sempre
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Spring' In E Major, No. 1: Allegro: Rustic Dance
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Summer' In G Minor, No. 2: Allegro non molto
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Summer' In G Minor, No. 2: Adagio: Presto
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Summer' In G Minor, No. 2: Presto: Impetuous Summer Storm
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Fall' In F Minor, No. 3: Dancing &Singing Of The Peasants: Allegro
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Fall' In F Minor, No. 3: The Sleeping Drunkards: Adagio
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Fall' In F Minor, No. 3: The Hunt: Allegro
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Winter' In F Minor, No. 4: Allegro non molto
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Winter' In F Minor, No. 4: Largo
The Four Seasons, Op. 8 'The Winter' In F Minor, No. 4: Allegro
Toccatta And Fugue In D Minor, BMV 565
Xerxes: Largo
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Andante e spiccato
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Presto
Gigue

Tracks:

'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 2 In F Major, BWV 1047: (Allegro)
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 2 In F Major, BWV 1047: Andante
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 2 In F Major, BWV 1047: Allegro assai
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3 In G Major, BWV 1048: (Allegro)
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 3 In G Major, BWV 1048: Allegro
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BWV 1050: Allegro
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BWV 1050: Affettuoso
'Brandenburg' Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BWV 1050: Allegro
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
'Messiah': Overture
'Messiah': Comfort ye
'Messiah': Every Valley
'Messiah': And The Glory Of The Lord
'Messiah': Glory To God
'Messiah': Hallelujah!
'Messiah': And The Trumpet Shall Sound

Tracks:

'Water Music' Suite: Overture
'Water Music' Suite: Adagio
'Water Music' Suite: Allegro; Andante; Allegro
'Water Music' Suite: Minuet
'Water Music' Suite: Air
'Water Music' Suite: Minuet
'Water Music' Suite: Bourree
'Water Music' Suite: Hornpipe
'Water Music' Suite: Allegro moderato
Royal Fireworks Music: Overture
Royal Fireworks Music: Bourree
Royal Fireworks Music: 'The Peace:' Largo alla Sicillana
Royal Fireworks Music: La Rejouissance: Allegro
Royal Fireworks Music: Minuet
Royal Fireworks Music: Minuet
Rondeau
Tune In D major
Arioso for Brass
Allegro for Brass
Prelude And Fugue In C Major, BWV 846
Sleepers, Wake

Tracks:

Trumpet Voluntary
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Ouverture
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Rondeau
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Sarabande
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Bourree
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Polonaise: Lentement
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Menuet
Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067: Badinerie
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Ouverture (Grave; Allegro)
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Courante
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Gavotte
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Forlane
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Menuet
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Bourree
Orchestral Suite No. 1 In C Major, BWV 1066: Passepied
Air For The 'G' String
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Allegro marziale
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Canzona
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Largo
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Allegro maestoso
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Adagio
Symphony from 'The Fairy Queen' Act Four: Allegro maestoso
'A Hero's Music': La Vaillance
'A Hero's Music': La Grace
'A Hero's Music': L'Armenet
Joy To The World

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Baroque collection - everyone should have this!.......2002-06-18

This is a remarkable collection of Baroque music. I've heard a lot of Baroque music and I am very discriminating about performance and sound quality. This set is a winner and a fantastic bargain... Somehow they've managed to choose what is truly "best" from the period (for example I've always felt Bach's Brandenburg Concertos # 2, 3, 5 were the best of the six, while 1,4,6 were relatively weaker - and lo and behold this collection includes 2,3,and 5) while missing very little if anything that "should have" been here (of course a 10 or 12 CD collection would have been even better, but you have to stop somewhere).

The performances here are excellent, and the recording quality is very high. I disagree with the person who claims this isn't "audiophile quality", because I don't think it could get much better unless it were on another medium such as SACD. I didn't particularly notice coughing on Handel's "Messiah" but Messiah fans would likely prefer a complete performance of that particular work anyway (the excerpts from Messiah here are complete pieces, but this set doesn't include the entire 2 hour or whatever Messiah). These do not sound like "outtakes", what kind of a comment is that? Somebody worked very hard to put this collection together, and they did a fantastic job (and I have zero affiliation with this, I just feel the truth as I see it should be told).

Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" is presented in it's entirety (ok, it's not the entire Vivaldi Opus 8, but it is the entire Four Seasons as normally found on any "Four Seasons" CD). There are so many great works here, which a lot of people will recognize even if they didn't know the actual piece or composer (or even that it was from the Baroque era). There's even the Mouret fanfare made famous as the "Masterpiece Theater" theme music. Yes this is a great "introduction" at a great price - which might get people to explore Baroque music further, but it's also a fairly complete collection which will suit a lot of people as such (i.e. for everyone who appreciates most any type of music these works should be "essential", but also the 4 CD collection might be all that a casual listener would "need" from the Baroque era). I feel that most people would be thrilled with this set; about the only way it might have been better would be to include information about each piece and about the Baroque era in general (there is no "text" at all with this set).

Entry level baroque.......2001-01-11

Nice cheap way to get into Baroque music. Unfortunately it's not the best recording you can get but it should be adequate enough for a non-audiophile. I've been unable to bring myself to listening to it again since I noticed that someone coughs in the background (very noticeably) during Handel's Messiah. Wonder if this is an outtakes CD.

Average customer rating:

Classics for Relaxation

Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0001MZ804
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Tracks:

Prelude a l'AprMidi d'un Faune - Belgrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Igor Markevitch
Agnus Dei - Ricardo Casinelli, ,
Four Seasons -- 2nd Movement: Largo E Pianissimo Sempre - Martin Sieghart, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Orfeo Ed Euridice 2nd Act -- Ballo: Andante (Dance of the Blessed ...) - Wilhelm Keitel,
Liebestraum No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 62 "O Lieb So Lang" du ... - Peter Schmalfuss
Ice Skaters Waltz "Las Patineurs" Excerpt - Gerhard Becker, Berlin Symphony Orchestra
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 Death of Ase - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Air - Artur Faihs, Frida Faihs
Nutcracker Ballet Suite, Op. 71a III: Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Alfred Scholz, South German Philharmonic Orchestra
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, No. 1: Aria - Christiane Jaccottet
Tales of Hoffman "Barcarolle" - Philharmonic Orchestra, Christian Rainer
Suite Bergamasque III: Clair de Lune - Peter Schmalfuss
Landler, Op. 171, No. 4 - Peter Schmalfuss
Ave Verum Corpus, Motet K. 618 - Rolf Schweizer,
Preludes, Op. 28 No. 15 in D flat major: Sostenuto "Raindrops" - Bianca Sitzius
Canon in D major: Preludes - Bernhard G Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Elegies for Piano, Op. 34 I: Wounded Heart - Stefan Jeschko

Tracks:

Preludes, Book 1 No. 8: "La Fille aux Cheveux de Lin" - Peter Schmalfuss
Suite Espa, Op. 47 Sevilla - Irina Kircher
Water Music Suite, Allegro - Oliver VonDohnanyi
Humoresque, Op. 101 - Erich Appel, Oliver Colbentson
Songs Without Words for Piano, Book 2, Op. 30, No. 6 in F sharp minor - Sylvia Capova
Swan Lake, Ballet Suite, Dance of the Swans - Belgrad Philharmonic Orchestra, Igor Markevitch
Divertimento No. 1 in B flat major, 2nd Movement - Chorale Saint Antoni Andante,
Symphony No. 5, 4th Movement: Adagietto - Anton Nanut
Lohengrin, Prelude to Act 3 - Bystrik Rezucha, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 Op. 46: Anitra's Dance - Libor Pesek, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Preludes, Op. 3, No. 2 in C sharp minor - Yuri A. Rozum
Tale of the Tsar Saltan -- Flight of the Bumble Bee - Camerata Rhenania, Hanspeter Gmur
Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 "Jupiter," 1st Movement: ... - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Finlandia, Op. 26/7 - Roland Donatte,
Etudes, Op. 10, No. 5 in G flat major "Black Keys" - Peter Schmalfuss
Serenade in E major, Op. 22, 1st Movement: Moderato - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra

Tracks:

Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 54, 2nd Movement: ... - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha,
Nutcracker Ballet Suite, Op. 71a, Arab Dance - Alfred Scholz, South German Philharmonic Orchestra
Divertimento for 2 Horns & Strings in F major "A Musical Joke," ... - Capella Istropolitana
Faust "Margarethe" -- Ballet Music, Allegretto - The London Symphony Orchestra, Alfred Scholz
Gymnopedies No. 3 - Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra
Serenade for Strings in C major, Op. 48, 2nd Movement; Waltz - Kurt Redel
Scenes from Childhood, Op. 15 Traumerei - Peter Schmalfuss
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16, Adagio - Marian Lapsansky, Bystrik Rezucha, Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra
Waltz in A flat major, Op. 69/1 - Peter Schmalfuss
Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73, Adagio Non Troppo - Libor Pesek, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Largo from Xerxes - Ernst Riedlinger
Symphony No. 22 in E flat major, "Philosopher," Adagio
Quintet in E minor, G. 451, Allegro Moderato - Karl Heinz Ber, Hans Kalafusz, GKehr, Gunter Lemmen, Siegfried Palm

Average customer rating:

25 Classical Heartbreakers

25 Classical Heartbreakers

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0007TFHCA
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Customer Reviews:

25 Classical Heartbreakers.......2006-11-29

Although these are popular and widely heard compositions (that's why I gave it 4 stars) they are very soothing when you want to mellow out. However, I can't understand why the title reads '20 Classical Heartbreakers' when there are 25 pieces.

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3; Two Oboe Concertos

Average customer rating:

Trevor Pinnock finest hour

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3; Two Oboe Concertos

Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4-6; Triple Concerto BWV 1044
Bach: Concertos

ASIN: B00006L3ID
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Without Tempo Indication
Adagio
Allegro
Menuetto - Trio I - Polacca - Trio II
Without Tempo Indication
Andante
Allegro Assai
Without Tempo Indication
Adagio
Allegro
Without Tempo Indication
Larghetto
Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Allegro
Adagio
Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Trevor Pinnock finest hour.......2003-03-09

This is perhaps the best period rendition of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos I've ever found. Originally carried by Archiv under catalog 410501, the re-release is now Archiv's "budget version" of the very same CD's I once paid $...each for. If you're a Brandenburd fan, you definately owe it to yourself to get this CD. 4-5-6 will be released under Archiv Blue 474220 on 4/8/2003.

J.C. Bach: Piano Concertos, Opp. 13, Nos. 4-6, & 14

Average customer rating:

J.C.Bach: Piano Concertos, op.13 nrs, 4-6, & 14

J.C. Bach: Piano Concertos, Opp. 13, Nos. 4-6, & 14

Manufacturer: Cpo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000059QIR
Release Date: 2001-03-20

Tracks:

Con in B flat, Op.13,4 (C 65): Allegro
Con in B flat, Op.13,4 (C 65): Andante
Con in B flat, Op.13,4 (C 65): Andante Con Moto
Con in G, Op.13,5 (C 66): Allegretto
Con in G, Op.13,5 (C 66): Tempo Di Menuetto
Con in E flat, Op.13,6 (C 67): Allegro
Con in E flat, Op.13,6 (C 67): Tempo Di Menuetto: Andante
Con in E flat, Op.14 (C 61) 'Bailleux': Allegro Maestoso
Con in E flat, Op.14 (C 61) 'Bailleux': Andantino
Con in E flat, Op.14 (C 61) 'Bailleux: Rondeau: Allegro Di Molto

Customer Reviews:

J.C.Bach: Piano Concertos, op.13 nrs, 4-6, & 14.......2007-04-10

I heard the first movement on my car radio on the way home from work, and knew that I had to have it. The music is so lively and free, and with a period Fortepiano, the sound is so marvelous that it just envelopes a person and you become one with it. If a person likes lively, early music on period instruments (modern instruments don't even come close), then this CD, and its sibling are just the ticket to an hour or so's listening enjoyment.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Red Card/Vicious But Fair [Original recording remastered] [Import]

The Art of Robert Bloom: Chamber Music, Vol. 2

The Byrd Edition, Vol. 1: Early Latin Church Music & Propers for Lady Mass in Advent

Paradise In The Valley

Village People - Greatest Hits & 2 Millenium Remixes [Import]

Tranquil Moods: Dream Suite

Voll Die Disco [Import]

They're Only Chasing Safety [Special Edition]

Top Hat White Tie & Tails: The Irving Berlin Songbook

The Very Best of Everly Brothers [Import]

Turn

Tapasya, Vol. 2

Under Pressure [Explicit Lyrics]

Its Later Than You Think

Sweet and Lovely