Bach: The Brandenburg Concertos [Import]

I had listed to various interpretations over the years and whereas I can most always pick out these concertos when heard over the radio, Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music were the first specific performances I could recognize by ear, years after I had last heard them. It was then that I realized that these particular recordings had left an indelible and uniquely human imprint on my consciousness.

These may not be judged the "best" interpretations ever put to disc by "connoisseurs", but I find they are the standard by which I will always judge the rest. I highly recommend them.

Technically, Hogwood and the Academy are as proficient and musically adept as ever. The sonic quality and enthusiasm is evident in every movement of every concerto, which is why I selected this set over others. Hard to pass on because of other recordings Hogwood's done (I especially like some of the Bach harpsichord concertos he's done). My next selection would have been Trevor Pinnock's, based on his previous recordings.

I have found that certain artists have a gift for creating reliable (but not predictable) recordings that are worthy of purchase. This is not the case with this CD set, however, as it was not as good as I had expected. Not that it is bad - it's just not <great>, which is what I have come to expect over the years from Hogwood and company.

But be warned: Hogwood has recorded the "original version" of the set. The third movement of #1 is omitted; the fourth movement thus becomes the third movement and is itself abridged. Likewise, the pyrotechnic, crowd-goes-wild harpsichord solo in the first movement of #5 appears here abbreviated and tamed.

I can't for the life of me understand why Hogwood released versions of these pieces that are really of interest only to musicologists. However, these discs are so well done that I suggest buying this set anyway, and supplementing it with another recording of #1-#3-#5 (Trevor Pinnock's fine version, for example) which contains the rest of the riches.