Search - Patricia Gagnon, Sabine Bouthinon, Johann Sebastian Bach :: Bach: Concerts avec plusieurs instruments, Vol. 1

The Best Bach ?

Ross Kennett | Narooma, NSW Australia | 02/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am amazed that I am the first to review this CD, but it is my pleasure to inform you of this series of CDs, "J S Bach, Concerts avec plusieurs instruments". This is volume 1, two more have been issued and there must be more to come.

The ensemble is Cafe Zimmermann, they take the name from the coffee house in Liepzig where Bach and his sons and pupils gave concerts on summer Friday afternoons. It is a small group, for Bach there is usually only one instrument per part, i.e. one first violin, one second, one viola etc.

This makes for very clear and open sound, I think perfect for Bach, whereas for Vivaldi I prefer a more lush sound. They play with great precision and joy, and I think they are wonderfull, the best !. The program is a harpsichord concerto, BWV 1052, one for oboe d'amour, BWV 1055, one for violin, BWV 1042, and Brandenburg no 5, all of these great concertos. You don't like the harpsichord ? you will like this one.

I might be going out on a limb to claim that this is Bach at his very best, but please give it a try."