Johann Sebastian Bach, The Academy of Ancient Music, Christopher Hogwood, Christophe Rousset, Monica Huggett, Catherine Mackintosh, Christopher Hirons, Stephen Hammer - Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Rousset, AAM, Hogwood

Christopher Hogwood's jaunty accounts with the Academy of Ancient Music, from 1984, are characterful though less than impressively recorded. The personnel are outstanding (showing the strength of the London scene even then), with the only drawback being the weak solo trumpet of Friedemann Immer in Concerto No. 2. --Ted Libbey Amazon.com

Great!!!

I wonder how many people were actually put off by some of the reviews found here... I know I certainly would be if I read them before I actually got this Concertos.

But, I was at the bookstore hunting for some things and I found that Hogwood stands in the category of his own when it comes to PI interpretation of these works. That's what I was looking for among other things so I purchased it. When I got home I looked here and by the time I read through few posts I was making up some stories I could use when I go and return the CD back.

However, curiosity got the better of me and I opened it (thinking, for the money I spend there shouldn't be a problem. Even if there was there's ebay as well).

First thing I was worried about was the sound. If the sound is bad I won't be listening for too long. Not if I have to fight with some crappy music graced by the poor sound. There's a plenty of fantastic old blues if I want a poor sound. Try some Charley Patton if you like...

Then there was an intonation problem mentioned. Not very promising.

Then I pressed play and I listened and if possible that's what I recommend you to do. My Contour S5.4 are singing! Now, that's a revealing speaker! I don't hear any harshness, any brightness, there's a fantastic soundstage. I do hear the bowing of the strings but I like that. That's how it should be. The sound related worry was dismissed...

I play tenor saxophone a bit and usually I can feel when my intonation is off. I didn't hear any problem here. Just a beautifully integrated trumpet that created the contrast with the string instruments I suppose Bach wanted to create when he put them together. But it's just my guess... Maybe he wanted to create something else. Integration however is superb.

As the last thing I must admit that I don't quite get what people are expecting they'll get with every subsequent purchase of Brandenburgs assuming that they already have shall I call it "regular" Concertos. Maybe their favorite version multiplied. I don't know nor will I ever know. But if you already have or have heard some versions and want to check this one don't hesitate for a second. You'll hear the difference for yourself and you don't need me to tell you about that.

If you don't have or haven't heard any "r" version of Concertos but you want this one so much that you can not resist, well, then don't resist. Just buy another version with this one right now. I know people that have a gold SLC 450 but still they drive Holden to work. You can do much worse than own two versions of some of the best music ever written.



November 23, 2008

Outstanding Performances

I must confess I am usually a less than totally convinced AAM afficionado so when I did a complete review of all of the best known cycles of the Brandenburgs I acquired this one just to see what the fuss was about. To my great surprise, the results was one of the really outstanding set of the Brandenburg currently available. The quality of the playing has the usual 'crispness' that AAM admirers praise, but above all they had eloquence, taste, and unforced brilliance. The quality of the ensemble playing is truly a joy to listen to over and over. I had a lot of trouble prying myself away. In fact I think I have enjoyed this recording more than any over recording by Hogwood et al. than I ever have recalled hearing over the past 10 - 15 years.

It is also well known that many of the performances are of earlier versions of the Brandenburgs and as a result, this may perhaps should not be the one and only set it that is what you are after. Another added bonus to this particular issue is the inclusion of some other concerti - again the best I have heard any of them played. In fact, they are a major reason to acquire this one over others sets offering only the Brandenburgs without fillers.

The recording itself is beautifully balances, natural, clear and rich. It is a tiny bit on the cleaner analytical side but allows much detail to emerge but this complements the crispness of the ensemble work extremely well.

Recommended with great enthusiasm! November 19, 2006

Very good

Yes, it is a pity that Hogwood chose the original versions: Nº 1 lacks one movement. But to this nice price you get two CDs with a lot of wonderful music. I am not convinced that the original instrument directors usually are more true to the spirit of the baroque era than directors of traditional chamber orchestras. However, here Hogwood gives a performance that is more convincing than a lot of newer "period" performances, which to me often seem more influenced by rock than baroque. I cannot analyse why this happens to appeal so much to me; I think it is really good, honest, straight forward and next to none of the different mannerisms and idiosyncrasies so typical of oh so many "original" interpretations. Production values are good, playing warm and lively. I don't claim that this is the best, but it is the best I have heard for a decade, and I think it is even better than the Savall performances of the Brandenburgs, and that tells a good deal. June 17, 2005

Would have been the best but ...

I always enjoyed the chamber intimacy Hogwood gave to his players in this recording. Wonderfull interpretations. But it is a pity CH chose the original versions: Nº 1 lacks the 3º movement and the "polacca" section of the 4º movement. The harpsichord solo in the 1st movement of the fifth is severerly shortened (more exactly, Bach expanded a section that was crying for a more extended part). To sum up, you know Bach was a perfectionist. Each thing he revisited, he improved. And he decided to give to Brandenburg Margrave a present, an improved version of his best concerti (in Pickett opinion, it was a kind of allegory). So please don't waste your money in preliminary versions in your first set of brandenburgs. I hope CH make a new recording, one player to a part. May 7, 2005

This version is for original instrument enthusiasts

Many of the paces are faster than usual and the use of period horns and trumpets creates a distinctively different sound than you'll get with conventional recordings. The Academy of Ancient Music produces really good authentic performances but it should be noted, that Bach would've used the best instruments he would have got his hands on for performing his stuff.

If you plan on getting one version of the Brandenberg Concertos, this is not the one I would recommend. However, if you are a real lover of Bach and are curious as to how his music might have sounded in the 1720's, this is an excellent addition to your music collection.

I welcome feedback on this and all reviews at wstrnlibwarrior@yahoo.com
March 20, 2005

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