Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Britten, ECO

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Benjamin Britten's Bach is a "middle-of-the-road" version of these delightful works. They offer no startling departures from the Baroque style favored in the 1960s, but are ripe, polished performances with a fearless trumpet soloist in No. 2, and outstanding flute and violin solos throughout. Modern instruments and moderate tempos may seem stodgy these days, but there's integrity in Britten's music-making and this set, recorded in 1968, still sounds fresh, easily holding its own against more recent versions. As an added attraction, London includes concerti for violin and oboe, and flute and strings, both done in the 1970s with Neville Marriner leading light and springy readings of distinction. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Major, BWV 1046: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Major, BWV 1046: ll Adagio
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Major, BWV 1046: lll Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Major, BWV 1046: lV Menuetto: Trio l
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Major, BWV 1046: V Polacca: Trio ll
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV 1047: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV 1047: ll Andante
Brandenburg Concerto No.2 In F Major, BWV 1047: lll Allegro assai
Brandenburg Concerto No.3 In G Major, BWV 1048: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.3 In G Major, BWV 1048: ll Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Major, BWV 1049: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Major, BWV 1049: ll Andante
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Major, BWV 1049: lll Presto

Tracks:

Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, BWV 1050: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, BWV 1050: ll Affettuoso
Brandenburg Concerto No.5 In D Major, BWV 1050: lll Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 In B Flat Major, BWV 1051: l Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 In B Flat Major, BWV 1051: ll Adagio ma non Troppo
Brandenburg Concerto No.6 In B Flat Major, BWV 1051: lll Allegro
Concerto for violin, oboe & strings in D Minor (from BWV 1060): l Allegro
Concerto for violin, oboe & strings in D Minor (from BWV 1060): ll Adagio
Concerto for violin, oboe & strings in D Minor (from BWV 1060): lll Allegro
Concerto For flute And Strings In G Minor (From BWV 1056): l Allegro
Concerto For flute And Strings In G Minor (From BWV 1056): ll Largo
Concerto For flute And Strings In G Minor (From BWV 1056): lll Presto

Amazon.com

Benjamin Britten's Bach is a "middle-of-the-road" version of these delightful works. They offer no startling departures from the Baroque style favored in the 1960s, but are ripe, polished performances with a fearless trumpet soloist in No. 2, and outstanding flute and violin solos throughout. Modern instruments and moderate tempos may seem stodgy these days, but there's integrity in Britten's music-making and this set, recorded in 1968, still sounds fresh, easily holding its own against more recent versions. As an added attraction, London includes concerti for violin and oboe, and flute and strings, both done in the 1970s with Neville Marriner leading light and springy readings of distinction. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Bach for Aristocrats.......2007-07-08

Britten's Brandenburgs are not hell-bent for leather, nor "historically informed", but very well-played in a grand and stately manner suggestive of a great composer respectfully conducting the work of another from a different era. The remastered analog recording from 1969 is excellent with a warm bloom surrounding the intimate soundscape.

I play these for a change-up on music that can become overly familiar, but that almost no one doesn't like at least once in a while.

ladida, ladida.......2007-03-09

Why is it that French horns can never play in tune with each other or the rest of the orchestra? Why, Why, Why!? If not for the french horns, this would be a very nice recording. These concertos are much cooler with the original instumentation, tho.

Authentic - In The Sense of True Authenticity.......2005-03-28

I am often bothered by those that think baroque music must be played on period instruments, and likewise by those that choose Mozart and Beethoven to be played in "authentic" means as well. Yes, the time period instruments do provide a different sound, but isn't music about the life that comes from the music, not the means of making the music? Music moves us not because we hear a strad or period orchestra wonderfully vibrating, but because we connect with the lines and melody of the sound being produced. These performances tastefully render the Brandenburg Concertos. They might not be sprightly, hold down Bach's instructions to a tee, or be played on period instruments, but they do convey Bach's written notes with wit and integrity, and with Bach especially, that's really all that is necessary for a moving performance. Let the music speak for itself, and stand alone - and in my opinion, that's all that is necessary here to create a wonderful effect.

Excellent Bach.......2004-07-02

Benjamin Britten and the English Chamber Orchestra do an excellent job of bringing out the "baroqueness" or the brandenburg concertos. I especially enjoyed the 6th concerto (what viola player wouldn't?), but I thought the 1st movement was a little slow, and a bit too legatoish, but i loved it none the less. The 3rd con. was also nice (3 viola parts- yeah!). I also liked the bonus flute and violin/oboe concertos. The flute concerto (origianally a harpsichord concerto and then a violin concerto) does have some shloops in the 1st and 3rd movements, in which case i prefer it being preformed on violin.

Overall, an outstanding recording that i highly recommend!!!!!!

Good modern recording.......2004-06-14

Some would say this recording isn't authentic because it uses modern instruments rather than period instruments. However, the English Chamber Orchestra is a wonderful ensemble, and Britten shows a real understanding for Bach's music. They create a very good Baroque sound with their modern instruments.

There are some movements (mvt 1 of concerto 1, mvt 2 of concerto 3, for example) that sound a bit heavy, either because of tempo or the intrumentation. They don't have the light, lively sound I think Bach intended.

Though there are better recordings of the Brandenburgs, this is an excellent collection for someone who wants to save a little money.

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