Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Manze, The Academy of Ancient Music :: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos

Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Manze, The Academy of Ancient Music
Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
1. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): I. Vivace
2. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): II. Largo ma non tanto
3. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1043): III. Allegro
4. Concerto In A Minor For Violin (BWV 1041): I. (Allegro)
5. Concerto In A Minor For Violin: II. Andante
6. Concerto In A Minor For Violin (BWV 1041): III. Allegro assai
7. Concerto In E Major For Violin (BWV 1042): I. Allegro
8. Concerto In E Major For Violin (BWV 1042): II. Adagio
9. Concerto In E Major For Violin: III. Allegro assai
10. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1060): I. Allegro
11. Concerto In D Minor For Two Violins (BWV 1060): II. Adagio
12. Concerto IN D M:inor For Two Violins: III. Allegro

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CD Details

All Artists: Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Manze, The Academy of Ancient Music, Rachel Podger
Title: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: © 1997 Harmonia Mundi
Release Date: 3/10/1997
Album Type: Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Forms & Genres, Concertos, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
Other Editions: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze
UPCs: 093046715526, 000008652812

Synopsis

Amazon.com essential recording

It's well known that most of Bach's harpsichord concertos began their lives as violin concertos. Since only three violin originals survive--the ones designated as BWV 1041-43--and since these are among his greatest instrumental works, musical scholars and performers have been reversing the process, turning the harpsichord concertos back into violin originals. BWV 1060 is one such case, a concerto for two harpsichords, which sounds much less clangy and bangy in this reconstructed version for two violins. Now Andrew Manze is simply the finest baroque violinist alive, and so this recording is self-recommending on that count alone. It's just about perfect. --David Hurwitz

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CD Reviews

Gorgeous Music and Interpretation

James Schoonmaker | Centreville, Virginia USA | 07/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've always felt that the violin was a gorgeous, expressive instrument, and this CD gives me no reason to change my mind. Whether you like music played by period instruments or not, this CD certainly doesn't suffer for it. Both Manze and Podger are highly-regarded as period violinists; however, the focus is on the music, rather than whether the instruments are period or not.
The influence of Vivaldi is clear in these pieces, especially in the alternation of tutti and solo passages, but Bach is a good deal more inventive and daring in his compositions. The interpretation of BWV 1060, the Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, was an excellent choice and interpretation; using two violins, rather than a violin and oboe, fits the mood of the CD better, and the individual voices of the violins is spectacular.
As a side note, the liner notes are good, including a short essay by Manze on the pieces and interpretation, as well as short biographies of Manze, Podger, and the Academy of Ancient Music. Personally, I think this is one of the better Bach interpretations out there."

Performances which made me listen to the works again

TimPride | Winchester, England | 11/03/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are not many who have not heard one or all of these concertos previously, particularly the Double Concerto. Having heard both these soloists live and on record, however, I was easily persuaded to invest in another CD of the Bach concerti. Thankfully I was proved right, and have enjoyed these performances repeatedly. Manze brings a sense of the improvisatory to these works, which so often are treated as untouchable monuments. His feeling, which Podger matches in the Double Concerto, revitalizes the spirit of the music. This is not simply to do with speeds, but the inner phrasing, which he encourages the orchestra to follow. If there is a small criticism, it is that some of the ornamentation does not stand up to repeated hearing: but if that is all there is to comment on, then I would not stand in the way of supporting the musicality presented here."

A brilliant interpretation to well known pieces

Jonathan Gendler | Israel | 02/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The pieces in this album are well known. However, listening to this brilliant, authentic interpretation and performance of these familiar pieces, fills me with great joy every time I play this CD. The violin concertos, to my opinion among the best of Bach's instrumental pieces, can fit almost every mood. They are perfect for intimate listening while doing absolutely nothing else, but also as background.I've heard other interpretations to the concertos, but this is the best to my opinion. I must add that people who don't like authentic performance on period instruments might find this performance a bit thin compared to ones performed on modern instruments.The last piece on the CD (BWV 1060) was a surprise, since it is better known as an Oboe-Violin concerto, and not as a double violin concerto. The result of the change (read Manze's explanaition as to why he did it) is fabulous.If you buy the CD, take some time to read the short article Manze himself wrote about the recording and the interpretation. It's fascinating.ENJOY!"

Right key

rc_rc | Yorkshire, UK | 05/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I need to correct some earlier reviews which state that, due to this recorded performance being played at a different pitch to the norm (a semitone lower or thereabouts), it is somehow played at the wrong tuning.

From my enthusiastic layman's knowledge of period instrument performance, I know that, in the 17th, 18th centuries, etc, pitch had not been standardised at what current pitching is accepted as. Indeed, accepted pitch varied geographically.

I hazard that Andrew Manze et al have spent some considerable thought about which historically accurate pitch to tune their instruments to for this recording and, as a result of their scholarly and artistic superiority to the rest of us (otherwise WE'D be playing rather than listening), are probably much closer to what Bach 'intended' (as if Bach would object to varying interpretations even in his own day???) than some of the less informed reviews suppose.

I for one adore Grumiaux (especially in his earlier ECO [not Swiss] performances - much more vital and less romantic) in this repertoire. But Manze is a superb addition all the same, could be one of the very finest performances I've heard of these works. I recommend this without reservation, but not instead of the classic performances in this repertoire.

I hazard that this will eventually be considered a 'classic' interpretation - the key it's played in suits me fine, and the playing is accurate, wonderfully pacey and incisive, and with that beauty of line only found in a small handful of recorded performances.

"

Look for the cheaper version of the same performance

Matt Holcomb | Irvine, Ca USA | 09/07/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This performance of Bach's Violin Concertos is vibrant, dynamic, and skilled, with virtuosic playing from both Manze and Podger, all mixed and molded in the signature Harmonia Mundi sound: clean, articulate, and plush. History has not been written, but Manze will go down as one of the finest violinists to ever be recorded, baroque, romantic, it doesn't mater. And Podger is certainly not far behind him. You can get this same disc for less than half the price, one of HM's Bach commemoratives with a catalogue. Take advantage of the quirky marketing."