Concerto No. 1 BWV 1046 In F Major: 1. ohne Satzbezeichnung
Concerto No. 1 BWV 1046 In F Major: 2. Adagio
Concerto No. 1 BWV 1046 In F Major: 3. Allegro
Concerto No. 1 BWV 1046 In F Major: 4. Menuetto - Trio I - Polacca - Trio II
Concerto No. 2 BWV 1047 In F Major: 1. ohne Satzbezeichnung
Concerto No. 2 BWV 1047 In F Major: 2. Andante
Concerto No. 2 BWV 1047 In F Major: 3. Allegro assai
Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048 In G Major: 1. ohne Satzbezeichnung
Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048 In G Major: 2. Adagio
Concerto No. 3 BWV 1048 In G Major: 3. Allegro
On Shakespeare's sceptered isle the approach to Bach has remained fairly consistent among period specialists. Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert were among the first to digitally record the Brandenburgs on period instr... more »uments, and their 1982 readings have remained staples of the catalog. Animated, though still very English in their wholesomeness and avoidance of color, these accounts feature predictably good work from violinist Simon Standage and such stalwarts as flutist Lisa Beznosiuk and the ubiquitous Mr. Pinnock. They also boast excellent sound (the venue was Henry Wood Hall), even if the harpsichord in Concerto No. 5 is so prominent as to be dis-concerting. --Ted Libbey« less
On Shakespeare's sceptered isle the approach to Bach has remained fairly consistent among period specialists. Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert were among the first to digitally record the Brandenburgs on period instruments, and their 1982 readings have remained staples of the catalog. Animated, though still very English in their wholesomeness and avoidance of color, these accounts feature predictably good work from violinist Simon Standage and such stalwarts as flutist Lisa Beznosiuk and the ubiquitous Mr. Pinnock. They also boast excellent sound (the venue was Henry Wood Hall), even if the harpsichord in Concerto No. 5 is so prominent as to be dis-concerting. --Ted Libbey
Pinnock's Bach Brandeburgs will wear well for years to come.
Alan Majeska | Bad Axe, MI, USA | 11/11/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert, a period instrument chamber orchestra, recorded all 6 Bach Brandenburg Concertos in the early 1980s for DG Archiv, and their recordings have been in the catalog in various CD compilations, in sets, or with other discmates, ever since. These were the early days of digital recordings, and I bought this and the other disc of Bach:Brandenburg Concertos 4,5,6, in 1987, the year after obtaining my first CD player. Pinnock's Bach is middle of the road, yet uses lean textures and period instruments to create a clear, bright texture. Allegros are spritely without being breathless, and the recorded sound is excellent. These recordings are joyful and bright, sure to alleviate the cares one faces after a busy day at the office, shop, factory, or wherever one works.
I won't go into detail about each movement within each Concerto, but all are on a very high level of playing and sound. I would also call it "a period instrument recording for those who don't like period instruments." I give this a 100%, 5 star recommendation."
Flawless
Popescu Lucian | Bucharest, Romania | 01/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"An absolute must for all Bach experienced listeners. Trevor Pinnock gives an utmost performance in great respect to what Bach had intended to be perfomed. Orchestration is predictably brilliant with English Concert among World's most prodiguous Baroque orchestras. Some have complainted for a certain lack of "feeling" in interpretation, but we must always keep in mind that Bach was Baroque, never a Romantic. Chopin-like interpretations are very unfortunate in Bach's works. Nevertheless everybody seems to aggree with the rock solid, unhesitating performance and top sound quality this CD offers. When I've first heard this album tears poored out of my eyes: "This is Bach", I thought. I felt in 1720 near the Margrave of Brandenburg listening to Bach himself."
One of my treasured disks
Craig Matteson | Ann Arbor, MI | 07/06/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Trevor Pinnock brought his English Concert to Ann Arbor a couple of years ago and did the complete Brandenburg Concertos. It was a great night. I had this disk and the companion disk of 4,5 & 6 before the live concert, but the live performance illuminated a few things and, of course, I love live music the best.However, this disk has many virtues. The first concerto is a big complicated thing with all kinds of wonderful sonic combinations of instruments. This version has dignity but is also full of life. The slow movement is exquisitly performed with a wonderfully shared line between the oboe and solo violin. The Allegro is effusive and fun. The Menuetto and its trios and the Polacca is one of my favorite pieces. I might be alone in this, but I love the feel of movement and contrast.The famous second concerto is performed superlatively. The natural trumpet soaring and brilliant without taking away from all the other music going on. Knowing what overtone series that natural trumpet requires I am always surprised these guys don't injure themselves playing this kind of music. They do get very red in the face, I can tell you!I love the third concerto for strings. It is another piece that is amazing to SEE performed. Watching the lines and music develop in a small ensemble does add to the enjoyment of the music. But you get a great deal from listening for that in this great recording. You will be glad to have this and its companion in your collection."
Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3
Bjorn Viberg | European Union | 07/07/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Bach: Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 1-3~ Johann Sebastian Bach is a magnificent recording of the great master himself John Sebastian Bach. The Brandeburg concerto is so astounding that only a few composers (Mozart, Wagner and Beethoven) have written works that are comparable with this very fine composition. Bach never strays from form, i.e., one is never confused to as one is listening to and this what I really like. I never have to think is this an adagio I am listening to or is it an allegro or allegretto. Modern composers should take note and listen to Bach as to learn how a true master writes his compositions to understand the mark of true genius and not just art for arts sake with seems to be the unfortunate mantra for many of the modern composers. Trevor Pinnock is a very accomplished and verily I would say that Bach himself would be proud of the work that he does conducting this very fine recording. The book-let is a very work of art and the painting on the outside cover is splendid as is the very well done photo of Mr Pinncock on the back of the book-let. The little essay inside the book-let is very well written and quite informative. This is a recording that I very much do recommend and I give it 5 out of 5 stars."
Superduper
garbonzocheics | Hoboken, NJ United States | 12/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I wouldn't consider myself a connoisseur of classical music, but I found this interpretation of the Brandenburg Concertos (Brandendurgische Konzerte for the purists) to be incredible- enough to write my first review ever on Amazon!! I stumbled upon it while rifling through a pile of my parents' cassettes. I wanted to get it on CD but made the mistake of buying another interpretations which was so slow- it totally sucked the life out of it (although eerily beautiful for the adagio in Concerto #1). I finally shelled over 35$ for the expanded three CD set by Trevor Pinnock. The tempo is vigorous and the sound very crisp. Think of driving on a beautiful fall day. Its cheesy but the image is appropriate."
Track Listings (10) - Disc #1
