J. S. Bach: The Brook And The Wellspring (National Public Radio Milestones Of The Millennium)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is one of a series of discs produced by Sony in collaboration with National Public Radio's Performance Today. It's a "Bach's Greatest Hits" type of collection, with single movements and fragments from some of Bach's best-known works. Quality of the performances ranges from superb (Igor Kipnis playing the harpsichord) to mediocre (Rilling's ensemble chugging away mechanically at a chorus from the St. John Passion). And it wouldn't have been hard to find a violinist who plays the chaconne with more of a sense of drama than Hillary Hahn, although she is technically fine. This is truly a disc for the Bach beginner, and perhaps the variety of sound and spirit in the collection will inspire novices to explore further. Jan Swafford's program notes tie everything together perceptively. --Leslie Gerber

Tracks:

Allegro From Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 In D Major, BWV 1050
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Variation 18, Canone alla Sesta a 1 Clav.
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Variation 25, a 2 Clav.
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Variation 30, Quodlibet a 1 Clav.
'Goldberg' Variations, BWV 988: Aria da capo
First Movement From Concerto In A Minor, BWV 1041 For Violin, Strings And Basso Continuo
Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor, BWV 582
V. Chaconne From Partita No. 2 In D Minor, BWV 1004
Cantata No. XX, BWV 147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben': Chorale 'Wohl mir, dass ich Jesum habe'
'Herr, unser Herrscher' From St. John's Passion, BWV 245
The Well-Tempered Clavier: Prelude And Fugue No. 1 In C Major, BWV 846
Mass In B Minor, BWV 232, Part II: No. 1, Chorus: 'Credo in unum Deum'
Mass In B Minor, BWV 232, Part II: No. 5, Chorus: 'Crucifixus'
Mass In B Minor, BWV 232, Part II: No. 6, Chorus: 'Et resurrexit'

Amazon.com

This is one of a series of discs produced by Sony in collaboration with National Public Radio's Performance Today. It's a "Bach's Greatest Hits" type of collection, with single movements and fragments from some of Bach's best-known works. Quality of the performances ranges from superb (Igor Kipnis playing the harpsichord) to mediocre (Rilling's ensemble chugging away mechanically at a chorus from the St. John Passion). And it wouldn't have been hard to find a violinist who plays the chaconne with more of a sense of drama than Hillary Hahn, although she is technically fine. This is truly a disc for the Bach beginner, and perhaps the variety of sound and spirit in the collection will inspire novices to explore further. Jan Swafford's program notes tie everything together perceptively. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

BACH- Expressive, Dramatic, and yes ,even ROMANTIC!.......2003-07-18

I don't mean to be rude either, but how could someone think of Bach's music as being unexpressive? Bach is one of the most expressive composers EVER,and this excellent compilation combines some of his most popular works with mostly stunning performances to make a "greatest hits" cd that for once is worth more then a throw away introduction to be discarded once the listener has moved on to full, indivdual works.

Anyway, to continue on about emotion,...true..., Bach's music doesn't bash you on the head like a great Romantic era symphony, but to compose such works as the Chaccone, Passacaliga and Fugue,Goldberg Variations, and the amazing Mass in B minor, takes the full and unrestrained outpouring of one's soul and being.His music is profoundly complex, sublime, and enigmatic. Bach is a thunderer, a poet, and a mystic, all rolled into one.

Continuing...,even with my extensive Bach collection, I still go back to this cd every now and again for it's quality and variety. Thats more than I can say for some of my other "greatest hits" type cds that are now collecting dust.

Almost every recording is excellent, the one exception being the opening to the Saint John's Pasion which is sung waaay too fast and unexpressivley.The Passacaliga is played VERY intensely, if a bit flamboyantly.The three selections from the Mass are so moving, especially Crucifixus. The Chaccone is absolute perfection. It is, in my opinion, the most dramatic, gut wrenching, beautiful piece of music ever composed.Who else but Bach could conjure such incredible technique and emotion, sustain it for so long, and convey it with only ONE mere violin! I can't imagine Bach himself performing it any other way as it is here.

All that aside, I know Glenn Gould is a great favorite, but his humming is a bit distracting and his interpretation is not to my liking. I prefer Angela Hewitt.

To conclude, I can't think of a better introduction to Bach- great selection of compositions, variety,and superb performances.

Wow.......1999-03-30

Just a comment on your "Customers who bought titles by Johann Sebastian Bach also bought titles by these artists": In recommending this disc you also recommend B.B. King, Dave Matthews Band & Dolly Parton! Cool. But wouldn't John Lewis have been more apt? DSTerrell

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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