Bach - Brandenburg Concertos

[youarenotimmune]

I'm looking to explore different interpretations of Bach, particularly of the Brandenburg Concertos. My favourite is by Karl Richter. Any suggestions? (I'm open to his music being played on both period and modern instruments by the way.)

Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major BWV 1048 - 1. Allegro - 2. Adagio - YouTube

 

[martha]

That's a lot of harpsichords for this girl, but I do like The English Concert's version of them quite a bit.

 

[gump]

Glenn Gould's The Art of the Fugue and this two recordings of the Goldberg Variations are essential. Also check his recordings of the two- and three-part inventions.

Edit: I'm assuming you are looking for other Bach stuff too.

 

[Jive Turkey]

When you guys say 'Bach", do you say "Bock" or do you say "Ba*phelgm*"?

 

[corianderstem]

Ah! Bach.avi - YouTube

 

[Danny Boy]

When you guys say 'Bach", do you say "Bock" or do you say "Ba*phelgm*"?

It's not "batch?"

 

[u2popmofo]

When you guys say 'Bach", do you say "Bock" or do you say "Ba*phelgm*"?

Bock.

Deal with it.

 

[martha]

I also really like the Unaccompanied Cello Suites.

 

[youarenotimmune]

Thanks for the suggestions, will check 'em out. I disagree with this widespread notion that Bach should only be played on period instruments. And even though most of the recordings I have are with period instruments (and I think they're great), I love Richter's orchestration of the Brandenburg Concertos on modern instruments. So I've just been curious lately about different interpretations of Bach's music.

I also really like the Unaccompanied Cello Suites.

Which recording?

 

[cobl04]

 

[Danny Boy]

 

[corianderstem]

 

[martha]

Which recording?

Yo Yo Ma's. It the only one I have. Of the five recordings I have of Haydn's cello concertos, Ma's is the go-to one, so I figured that's the Bach I would like.

I'll have to consider a modern instrument recording of the Brandenburgs, because it really is too much harpsichord.

 

[corianderstem]

Yo Yo Ma's. It the only one I have.

That's the only Bach CD(s) I own, but that doesn't mean that I don't think ... nay, that I don't KNOW that Bach is fucking awesome.

 

[gump]

Casals' recording of the Cello Suites is fantastic. I might prefer it to Yo Yo Ma's.

 

[martha]

Casals' recording of the Cello Suites is fantastic. I might prefer it to Yo Yo Ma's.

Something to think about.

 

[youarenotimmune]

I also just have Yo Yo Ma's recording of the cello suites; haven't heard Casal's. Will check it out, thanks.

 

[youarenotimmune]

I'll have to consider a modern instrument recording of the Brandenburgs, because it really is too much harpsichord.

I'm curious, are you fond of Concerto no. 5, which is pretty harpsichord-centric? I love the use of the harpsichord in the Brandenburg Concertos.

This is a nice, rousing (historically-informed) performance of Concerto no. 5 I've always liked:

J.S.Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D BWV1050 - Croatian Baroque Ensemble - YouTube

 

[martha]

The strings are lovely, but the harpsichord is too much. When I do listen to them, I like 2 and 3.

 

[youarenotimmune]

Yup, 2 and 3 (along with 5) are the ones I listen to the most as well

 

[martha]

It appears that even with a modern instrument recording, the harpsichord is still there.

 

[IWasBored]

I actually kinda like harpsichords

 

[youarenotimmune]

It appears that even with a modern instrument recording, the harpsichord is still there.

Well Bach was one of the pioneers of harpsichord concertos, and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 relies heavily on its use.

I actually kinda like harpsichords

Yup. The harpsichord, when used properly, can be a quite endearing instrument.

 

[martha]

No.