Bach: 7 Harpsichord Concertos, Triple Concerto

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bach's keyboard concertos--some original compositions, others adapted from the Brandenburgs or string concertos--herald the genesis of the modern keyboard concerto as we know it, a genre later picked up and perfected by his son J.C. Bach. Until these stunning works were written, the harpsichord was used either as a continuo instrument or simply in a solo or chamber context. One reason for this is that the harpsichord doesn't possess the volume to cope with a sizable orchestra as a solo force. Richard Egarr knows this limitation, but he doesn't bestow any more amplification on his harpsichord than on the strings and wind. Fair enough, but there are a few frustrating moments when the primary, solo writing is sometimes lost beneath the less important orchestral counterpoint in the outer movements. That said, the balance in the slower movements works well due to the thinner textures, and overall the tempi are beautifully judged without the extreme speeds so often found in "authentic" performances. The phrasing and articulation are also well thought through, and these intimate performances display a joie de vivre lacking in most other recordings. Superb playing throughout. --Oliver Condy

Tracks:

Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D minor, BVW 1052: 1. Allegro
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D minor, BVW 1052: 2. Adagio
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D minor, BVW 1052: 3. Allegro
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in E major, BVW 1053: 1. (without tempo indication)
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in E major, BVW 1053: 2. Siciliano
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in E major, BVW 1053: 3. Allegro
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D major, BVW 1054: 1. (without tempo indication)
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D major, BVW 1054: 2. Adagio e piano sempre
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in D major, BVW 1054: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in A major, BWV.1055: 1. Allegro
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in A major, BWV.1055: 2. Larghetto
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in A major, BWV.1055: 3. Allegro ma non tanto
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in F minor, BWV.1056: 1. (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in F minor, BWV.1056: 2. Largo
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in F minor, BWV.1056: 3. Presto
Concerto for Harpsichord, 2 Recorders and Strings in F major, BWV1057: 1. (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto for Harpsichord, 2 Recorders and Strings in F major, BWV1057: 2. Andante
Concerto for Harpsichord, 2 Recorders and Strings in F major, BWV1057: 3. Allegro assai
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in G minor, BWV1058: 1. (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in G minor, BWV1058: 2. Andante
Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in G minor, BWV1058: 3. Allegro assai
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1060: 1. Allegro
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1060: 2. Adagio
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1060: 3. Allegro

Tracks:

Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1061: 1. (Without Tempo Indication) - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1061: 2. Adagio ovvero Largo - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1061: 3. Fuga - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1062: 1. (Without Tempo Indication) - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1062: 2. Andante - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 2 Harpsichords and Strings in C minor, BWV1062: 3. Allegro assai - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in D minor, BWV.1063: 1. (Without Tempo Indication) - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in D minor, BWV.1063: 2. Alla Siciliana - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in D minor, BWV.1063: 3. Allegro - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1064: 1. Allegro - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1064: 2. Adagio - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 3 Harpsichords and Strings in C major, BWV1064: 3. Allegro - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 4 Harpsichords and Strings in A minor, BWV.1065: 1. (Without Tempo Indication) - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 4 Harpsichords and Strings in A minor, BWV.1065: 2. Largo - Nicholas Kraemer
Concerto for 4 Harpsichords and Strings in A minor, BWV.1065: 3. Allegro - Nicholas Kraemer

Tracks:

Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, Strings, and Basso Continuo in A minor, BWV1044 'Triple Concerto': 1. Allegro
Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, Strings, and Basso Continuo in A minor, BWV1044 'Triple Concerto': 2. Adagio, ma non tanto, e dolce
Concerto for Flute, Violin, Harpsichord, Strings, and Basso Continuo in A minor, BWV1044 'Triple Concerto': 3. Allabreve
Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Basso Continuo in C minor: 1. Allegro
Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Basso Continuo in C minor: 2. Adagio
Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Basso Continuo in C minor: 3. Allegro
Concerto for Oboe d'amore, Strings and Basso Continuo in A major: 1. (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto for Oboe d'amore, Strings and Basso Continuo in A major: 2. Larghetto
Concerto for Oboe d'amore, Strings and Basso Continuo in A major: 3. Allegro ma non tanto

Tracks:

Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in A minor, BWV.1041: 1. (Allegro moderato) - Simon Standage
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in A minor, BWV.1041: 2. Andante - Simon Standage
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in A minor, BWV.1041: 3. Allegro assai - Simon Standage
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in E major, BWV.1042: 1. Allegro - Simon Standage
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in E major, BWV.1042: 2. Adagio - Simon Standage
Concerto for Violin, Strings and Continuo in E major, BWV.1042: 3. Allegro assai - Simon Standage
Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV.1043: 1. Vivace - Simon Standage
Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV.1043: 2. Largo ma non tanto - Simon Standage
Concerto for 2 Violins in D minor, BWV.1043: 3. Allegro - Simon Standage

Customer Reviews:

A Premier Bach Series Recording.......2007-03-26

I purchased these recordings nearly 20 years ago, when Deutsche Gramophone was still selling them as five individual discs, and at over $20 per disc. With the re-release of the set of all five discs in a single, price-reduced "Collectors Edition" box set, the price has fallen by more than half, making this one of the outstanding values for high-quality Bach recordings on today's market.

But what about the performances? Here's the best way I can sum it up. Having listened to these disks for some two decades, in the car, on the main home stereo system, on portable equipment, on the boom box, and etc., etc., it is, I imagine, inevitable that one ends up memorizing nearly every note. And with that familiarity comes the ability to detect flaws in the performance, missteps, missed beats, the occasional off-tone instrument. Here's the rub: it is difficult to locate any significant flaw in the performances. These performances are about as perfect as one can get, but having said that, there is more. The sound reproduction of this recording remains near or at the top of any Bach recordings with which I've become familiar, and remains in my own thinking the de facto standard by which other performances should be measured.

Sound too good to be true? Pick up a set and see for yourself. And then relish the thought that you paid $40 for a set worth far more.

A nice way to complete your collection of Bach's concertos..........2007-02-21

...and cheap to boot. This, paired with the Brandenburg Concertos/Overtures compilation from Arkiv (also featuring Pinnock and the English Concert), gives any new Bach fan a fairly complete account of Bach's instrumental orchestral output. This particular package includes all of Bach's keyboard concertos (played exceptionally well by Pinnock), all of his violin concertos, and also his Triple Concerto (Harpsicord, Flute and Violin), several works for Oboe and Oboe D'Amour, and several double concertos (2 violins, and oboe and violin). Highlights are the D Minor Harpsicord concerto BWV 1052, the C Major concerto for 2 Harpsicords BWV 1061, the Oboe D'Amour concerto BWV 1055, the double concerto BWV 1060, and the violin concertos.
This set sounds fantastic and is a great value to boot. Strongly recommended for those who loved Bach's Bradenburg concertos and Overtures and are looking for something new to sink their teeth into.

"Best Bach - Box Set".......2005-11-06

This is undoubtedly the best Back box set I have heard. These Concerto's for Harsichord, Violin, Flute and Oboe are among the finest in classical music. Although the Harpsichord volume level could have been a bit higher overall the recordings are very good. I am very pleased with this CD set with so much music at a very good price. This is truly a collectors gem.

Pinnock is good performer.......2005-09-30

Pinnock is good performer...I drop one start because BWV 1052-58
Might sound better when it's played piano.

Unbeatable Value.......2004-12-15

This set offers unbeatable value. The performances are uniformly excellent. Pinnock's Bach is brisk and sprightly when it should be, but also tender and relaxed when it must be. He is not afraid to slow down and savour the music, unlike many period-performance specialists. He is one of the world's great harpsichordists and his partners in the multiple concerti are also excellent. Simon Standage yields nothing to better-known soloists in the violin concerti.

The sound is clear, deep, and only a little bit on the bright side.

While you're at it, buy the Pinnock/English Concert complete Mozart symphonies. Sure, Mozart's first fifteen or so aren't anything special, but the set is superb and the price unbelievable.

Average customer rating:

Exhilarating
The Lightness of Joy
A mix of good and not so good
Wonderful but
Fans of Hewitt will rejoice; everyone else may look askance

Bach - The Keyboard Concertos Vol 1
Bach , Angela Hewitt , Richard Tognetti , and Australian Chamber Orchestra
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach - The Keyboard Concertos Vol 2
Bach: Fantasia in C minor; Two-Part Inventions; Three-Part Inventions; Chromatic Fantasia & Fugue
Goldberg Variations
Bach: French Suites / Angela Hewitt
Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier (book 1)

ASIN: B0009K9P7K
Release Date: 2005-06-13

Tracks:

Allegro
Adagio
Allegro
(First Movement)
Andante
Allegro Assai
Allegro
Affettuoso
Allegro
Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Tanto E Dolce
Tempo Di Alla Breve

Amazon.com

This delectable collection of Bach Keyboard concertos is so unsullied by tradition or a point to prove that the listener is left refreshed. Angela Hewitt plays with such warmth and song-like smoothness in the slow movements that they are little islands of repose in the midst of Bach's perky outer movements, which Hewitt and conductor-violinist Richard Tognetti launch with unmatched verve, rhythmic thrust and quick-but-never-rushed tempi. The Fifth Brandenburg and the Triple Concerto also call for a violin and flute and Togneti and Alison Mitchell are ideal partners to Hewitt: the give and take seems simply like great "jamming." Every note is clear and each soloist (and the fine Australian Chamber Orchestra) adds ornaments which are pert and welcome. The big cadenza in the Fifth Brandenburg is like liquid--beautifully flowing and well-articulated by Hewitt--and while the virtuosity is never in doubt, she never draws attention to herself. She plays a modern piano and the Orchestra play modern instruments, but early-music performance practice and style are very much in evidence (including a harpsichord in the continuo section). This is Bach playing of the highest order and splendid entertainment. --Robert Levine

Album Details

Angela Hewitt Performed and Recorded with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in February 2005, a Perfect Collaboration Resulting in Two Volumes of Bach Keyboard Concertos.

Customer Reviews:

Exhilarating.......2007-07-12

This is a stupendous CD. Angela Hewitt's glorious and sensitive touch is beautifully matched by the precision and vitality of the ACO. Although some reviewers have decried the performance of Brandenburg No. 5, to me this is a highlight. The solo at the end of the first movement is rivetting.

If I wanted to introduce someone to the glories of Bach, this is the CD I'd play to them. Turn it up loud and rejoice.

The Lightness of Joy.......2007-01-19

Not being a musician, I cannot comment on any technical aspect of the performers' playing (except that the concertos sound just fine with a piano used as a solo instrument and a harpsicord used only as continuo).

However, having now listened to both volumes of the Keyboard Concertos several times, I know how they affect me - every time I listen, I feel better...lighter...simply more joyful.

George Leigh Mallory -- he of "Because it's there" Mount Everest fame -- also said what must surely apply to these performances: "What we get from this ... is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money; we eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for."

A mix of good and not so good.......2006-03-02

A problem for me with performances of harpsichord music on pianos is that the pianist often uses way too much pedal. Not that I want a piano to sound like a harpsichord-- but the cadenza at the end of the first movement of Brandenburg 5 did make me cringe. It was so smeared that sometimes notes disappeared. In other places, there seemed to be very out of place fortissimos that distracted one from the line of the music. All that said, Hewitt excellent pianism often shines through-- I was hearing musical lines that have not been in evidence in other recordings.

The soloist performance I'd rate 3 stars; the support of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the generally excellent sound bumps the overall rating to 4.

Wonderful but.......2006-02-26

I very much enjoyed Angela Hewitt's playing in Bach's keyboard concertos. Some might quibble that they are played on a piano, but horses and carts have also been replaced by motor cars. The ACO is one of Australia's treasures - described in London as the world's best chamber orchestra - and it gives Hewitt wonderful support. (The prolific reviewer Larry VanDeSande has eleswhere described the ACO as "a scrawny sounding period band" but LVDS seems to have sacrificed integrity for effect - he might equally describe the Chicago orchestra as "overblown and conventional"). The real problem with Hewitt and the ACO is that equally fine performances at a fraction of the cost can be found on Naxos with Hae-won Chang (piano) and the Camerata Cassovia. Fair dinkum and I kid you not.

Fans of Hewitt will rejoice; everyone else may look askance.......2005-11-12

You never know what's going to come back into style in classical music, do you? With Murray Perhaiah and now Angela Hewitt playing the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 from the modern grand piano, we seemingly have gone backwards in time to the era of the great pianists and wax recordings in the early 20th century.

Hewitt plays the traditional Bach keyboard concerti Nos. 1 and 7 from the piano and contributes a performance of the Bach "Triple" Concerto from the concert grand to fill out this well-stocked disk of Bach wonders. I only wish I had more wonderful things to say about the goings on.

What I find most unattractive about these renditions -- aside from the very unstylistic inclusion of a concert grand piano in the Brandenburg and Triple concerti -- is the way the combined forces mix styles.

In the opening Concerto No. 1 for keyboard, Hewitt at times produces a sonority that is more appropriate for Brahms than Bach. She is matched by a scrawny sounding period band from Autstralia. This combination of Brahmsian piano and period string band...well, it just doesn't come off very well for me.

Other than her occasionally overripe tone and romantic sonority, I don't quibble with Hewitt's approach for the most part. She is a known commodity in Bach and her work here is similar to everything else she's done with this composer. Only a highly romanticized cadenza at the conclusion of the Triple Concerto -- which probably comes off best among the four concerti recorded here -- seems wayward.

On the pluse side, the opening movement of the Concerto No. 1 is pushed very hard in Bach style and the middle section of the Concerto No. 7 is very beautiful. It works well in the piano concertos but elsewhere seems to me to be a step backward to a time when people thought Bach surely must have meant to include a concert grand piano where he only had the limitations of the clavichord and harpsichord at his disposal.

Where this error in judgment is most apparent is in the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Listen to that long harpsichord solo at the end of the first movement by any good recording using a harpsichord, then come back to this recording and notice the way the piano not only lacks color throughout the concerto but almost seems to disappear at the same junction.

At other times, the concerto grand overwhelms the thin tone of Richard Tognetti's violin and Alison Mitchells flute, both here and in the Triple Concerto. This, to me, is what most renders this recording a curiosity and not essential Bach musicmaking.

I think this recording will be accepted with open arms by fans of Hewitt and those that hanker for a return to the era of Alfred Cortot's recordings of the Brandenburgs circa 1931. For others, this recording will more likely be considered an oddity to be heard once and discarded.

Bach Edition 7 - Bach: Brandenburg Concertos II (4 & 5) / Cologne CO

Average customer rating:

Bach Edition 7 - Bach: Brandenburg Concertos II (4 & 5) / Cologne CO

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Bach: Harpsichord Concertos 3
Bach: Concertos for Oboe and Oboe d'Amore
Bach: Violin Concertos

ASIN: B000046Q2U
Release Date: 2000-01-25

Tracks:

Allegro
Andante
Presto
Allegro
Affettuoso
Allegro
Allegro
Adagio Ma Non Tanto E Dolce
Alla Breve
Allegro
Andante
Allegro Assi

Bach: The Keyboard Concertos, Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Bach: The Keyboard Concertos, Vol. 1 [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Mozart: Flute Concertos; Rondo; Andante [Includes the Bis 2005 Catalog] [Hybrid SACD]
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No. 3; Poulenc: Organ Concerto; Barber: Toccata Festiva

ASIN: B0009K9PHK
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Bach: 7 Harpsichord Concertos, Triple Concerto

Average customer rating:

cannot hear harpsichord
Marvelous Offering from Keyboard Genesis
Very Disappointed with Manze and Egarr
Best balance yet of harpsichord and ensemble.
correction of headline

Bach: 7 Harpsichord Concertos, Triple Concerto
Johann Sebastian Bach , Richard Egarr , Andrew Manze , and The Academy of Ancient Music
Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Bach: Goldberg Variations
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J.S. Bach: Per cembalo solo ...
Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze
Violin Sonatas Op 5

ASIN: B00005UEQ1
Release Date: 2002-03-12

Amazon.com

Bach's keyboard concertos--some original compositions, others adapted from the Brandenburgs or string concertos--herald the genesis of the modern keyboard concerto as we know it, a genre later picked up and perfected by his son J.C. Bach. Until these stunning works were written, the harpsichord was used either as a continuo instrument or simply in a solo or chamber context. One reason for this is that the harpsichord doesn't possess the volume to cope with a sizable orchestra as a solo force. Richard Egarr knows this limitation, but he doesn't bestow any more amplification on his harpsichord than on the strings and wind. Fair enough, but there are a few frustrating moments when the primary, solo writing is sometimes lost beneath the less important orchestral counterpoint in the outer movements. That said, the balance in the slower movements works well due to the thinner textures, and overall the tempi are beautifully judged without the extreme speeds so often found in "authentic" performances. The phrasing and articulation are also well thought through, and these intimate performances display a joie de vivre lacking in most other recordings. Superb playing throughout. --Oliver Condy

Customer Reviews:

cannot hear harpsichord.......2006-07-13

If you are one of the people who listened to the Egarr recording of Bach's Goldberg Variation and believed you would relive a similar experience by listening to the Egarr recordings of the Concerto's;
forget it! the balance is a disaster. All one can hear is the orchestra, the harpsichord being in another world. As a consequence of listening to this recording I have decided never to purchase anything except unaccompanied Harpsichord. If you have not heard the Egarr recording of The Goldberg Variations you are missing a bit of Heaven. Get the Goldberg but avoid the concerto's

Marvelous Offering from Keyboard Genesis.......2003-01-25

Realizing that Bach's keyboard compositions inspired the keyboard concerto outpouring, this is exquisite compilation of his harpsichord work.

Certainly any attempt like this involves scholarly choice of editing, both pieces and nuances within each.

Their admission of attempting historically sound choices buffeted by what they "found musically satisfying solutions" was achieved.

This intimate chamber sound is delightful. Egarr is solid and plays with passion and sytle. The Manze led strings are equal to the task, and the recording is well mixed, with adequate balance between strings and soloist keyboards..

Two volume work supplies much joy for those who enjoy the captivating, unique sound of the harpsichord.

Very Disappointed with Manze and Egarr.......2002-09-21

I came to this recording with high expectations because there is only one instrument used per part just like Leonhardt (ISDN B000000SPD) did with his recordings of the same works for Teldec back in the early 1960's. However, my expectation was tempered by the fact that I have listened to Bach's Violin concertos performed by Manze and was disappointed. This recording shows the same problems I had with his Bach Violin concerti recording. Manze shows poorly defined muddy and quirky articulation. He also produces an unattractive violin sound from his instrument. What I did not expect was a boring performance. Unfortunately, he disappointed me with boring overall performances on most of the concertos as well. The performances are not sprightly and bouncy as they should be from both the harpsichordist and orchestra. Sometimes the violin sound gets totally lost in the recording. I expected a better balance with only one instrument per part. Also, the tape editing is poor. There are times were suddenly the recoding gets quiet as if two performances were spliced together. Other times it sounds like Egarr intentionally changes volume of the harpsichord at an awkward point in the music. In all fairness the Triple Concerto for Flute, Violin and harpsichord is an excellent performance and the recording comes together nicely. I especial enjoyed the slow movement where the pizzicato strings set off the solo instruments beautifully. On the other hand Manze's choice of not doing pizzicato strings during the slow movement of the F minor concerto is a huge mistake. In the liner notes he said that they tried many different ways of doing the middle movement of the F minor and found that pizzicato strings were not satisfying and instead used a short bow stroke. Well, Mr. Manze, one listen to Leonhardt's recording of the same movement would convince you otherwise. Also, one listen to your own recording of the middle movement of the Triple concerto should have showed that you should have used pizzicato strings for the F minor middle movement! This was so unsatisfying that I had to listen to Leonhardt's version to get that ethereal feeling again that the Manze version so lacked. Let me say also that I was disappointed in the D minor concerto. It lacked drive and emotion. The one I recommend for the D minor concerto is by far the Koopman version on Erato. Koopman will take your breath away with its drive an emotion! For a complete recording, I recommend the Leonhardt on Teldec now Elektra/Asylum - #97452 ISDN B000000SPD, the Koopman "Bach Edition Vol.1: Orchestral Music Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra/Ton Koopman" Erato 6cds 0630161622, and the Pinnock on DG Archiv 463725 (6) or DG Archive 471754 (3) versions. Stay away from the Egarr/Manze version, stay far away.

Best balance yet of harpsichord and ensemble........2002-05-16

One of the trickiest challenges of recording Bach's harpsichord concerti is getting the balance right between harpsichord and orchestra. Here, the string ensemble is small enough that they complement the harpsichord, rather than overwhelming it -- keeping the natural musical drama between soloist and ensemble intact. All of the AAM players are technically secure as usual and manage to inject a strong element of emotion into these works, bringing out their individual characters.

This is not another faceless "elevator music" recording of the Bach concerti, but a committed and highly substantial performance. Oh yeah -- it's also a lot of fun to listen to! Plus, each CD in the sect features well over an hour of music.

Highly recommended.

correction of headline.......2002-03-21

I would like to correct the impression given by the words
"Andrew Manze puts down the fiddle to conduct"; he did not
- he leads the ensemble while playing, as was 17th C. custom.

Otherwise, thanks for the nice review!

Track Listings: