J.S. Bach: Concerto!

On this CD:

1. Concerto for 2 harpsichords & strings in C minor (or for oboe & violin in D minor), BWV 1060
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Inna Heifetz, Natalia Zusman
Conducted by Emil Blank

2. Harpsichord Concerto No. 1 in D minor (or for 2 oboes & organ or for violin) BWV 1052
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Inna Heifetz
Conducted by Emil Blank

3. Italian Concerto for keyboard solo in F major, BWV 971
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performed by Inna Heifetz
Conducted by Emil Blank

Tracks:

Divertimento In B-Flat (Adagio)
Cassation (Final-Musik) In G - Adgio
Divertimento In G Minor (Andante)
String Quartet No. 12 In B-Flat - Adagio
Divertimento In D, KV 131 - Adagio
'Eine Kleine Nachtmusik' - Romance (Andante)
Divertimento In D, KV 136 - Andante
Serenade In B-Flat 'Gran Partita' - Adagio
Prelude No. 3 In F
String Quartet No. 1 In B-Flat - Adagio
Violin Concerto In D - Andante cantabile
Divertimento In B-Flat - Adagio

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful.......2007-06-26

I bought this CD to listen to at work (I am 6 months pregnant). The quality is awesome and the choice of songs is perfect I can listen to it over and over.

Great for putting kids to sleep!.......2007-06-08

I absolutely love this CD! In fact this is our second one because we wore out the first since we played it so much. It is very soothing, and in fact we used it to help both our kids (now 4 and 18 mo) go to sleep since they were babies. I highly recommend it!

Very Relaxing.......2007-04-10

It is very soothing and really helps you relax. I enjoy listening to it in the car during my high stress commute.

A Must Have for all Parents of Little Children !!!.......2006-11-25

I bought this when my first baby was...well, a baby. That was 8 years ago. Now I am on my 4th copy of this cd (Mozart For Mothers to Be) and my 3rd child. Nothing works better. I'm on here to buy my 4th copy becasue I've worn them out over the years and have to keep replaceing them. My 8 and 3 year old still use it, and now the new baby, also. Make it part of your nightly bed time routine and you'll have good little sleepers in no time. I swear by it. It is very soothing, calming and not distracting so it won't drive you bonkers if you can hear it a little from the next room.

A truely great gift for new parents, or if you have a sleepless little one at home. Turn on the cd, turn down the lights and let it sooth them to sleep.

Inspire the baby-within.......2005-12-13

Beyond sheer musical appreciation and enjoyment, Mozart's music in general is ideal for gently stimulating the "creative centers" as well as instilling a sense well-being. While there is much academic disagreement about the extent or reality of the so-called "Mozart Effect," it doesn't take a genius to observe how Mozart's music puts most people (and probably babies-to-be) in a happy mood ready to take on the day's challenges. There is a simplicity - yet elegance and musical brilliance - in his music that is also well-suited for the youngest of children.

The selections on this CD are all excellent and represent a nice range of Mozart's compostions, emphasising those that are ideal for creating a pleasant backdrop for leisure, dining and social occasions ("divertimentos"). The recordings are from the creme of musicians famous for their Mozart. Few works are as elegant and soaring as the Serenade #10 for winds - an astonishingly beautiful tune made famous from the early scenes of the movie, "Amadeus." Mozart supreme gifts of music are even seen in such humble "background music" as these pieces. And such continuity of warm, leisurely tones as these over 70 minutes is ideal for inspiring the baby to-be if that is why you are considering this CD. Better to expose a baby to the gentile, lyrical music of Mozart than to the dissonant, loud and disturbing tones of some classical music written well after Mozart.

As the reviewer below rightfully notes, compilation CD's of various unrelated works like this one is not quite how classical music is best meant to be heard. But in a way it is better for many to start with such collections like this - especially for those who just want the more quiet selections that are unintrusive. In that respect, this collection can be satisfying for most anyone (not just moms or babies). I have a huge classical music collection, but still really enjoy listening to one full CD of similar-temperament music like this one that flows easily and smoothly that doesn't demand my attention but only seeks to delight. And, in the end, that was the simple and primary goal of many of Mozart's compositions - to be purely enjoyed and delighted.

Average customer rating:

Simply the Best

Simply Baroque

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Yo-Yo Ma - Simply Baroque II ~ Bach & Boccherini / ABO, Koopman
Vivaldi's Cello
The Dvorak Album
Classic Yo-Yo
Bach: The 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites

ASIN: B0000CD5G9
Release Date: 2003-09-30

Tracks:

Sei Lob Und Preis Mit Ehren
Erbarme Dich
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring
Ertot' Uns Durch Dein' Gute
Ich Ruf' Zu Dir, Herr Jesu Christ
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel Herunter
Lab Mein Herz Die Munze Sein
Dein Blut, Der Edle Saft
'Air On A G String'
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In G Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Cello Concerto In D Major
Was Gott Tut, Das Ist Wohlgetan
Aria From Goldberg Variations
Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme

Customer Reviews:

Simply the Best.......2005-05-31

I can only say, that as far as I am concerned, this is just some of the best music I have ever heard.... Im guessing this is the way Bach intended his music to sound in the first place, and who better for that than the AMO and Koopman...and of course YO YO... if u love classic music, you are absolutly going to LOVE this cd..I highly recommend it

Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Average customer rating:

Horowitz: A Digital Legacy

Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Complete Masterworks Recordings, 1962-1973
Beethoven: Piano Sonatas
Original Jacket Collection: Vladimir Horowitz
Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings
Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]

ASIN: B00008RWRI
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Customer Reviews:

Horowitz: A Digital Legacy.......2004-11-15

This set includes all of the recordings Vladimir Horowitz did for Deutsche Grammophon in the 1980s, including his historical concert in Moscow.

While the context of his return in Moscow is moving, the studio recordings are simply wonderful. The sound quality is impeccable. The Steinway piano sounds warm but yet crisp and sharp. Horowitz still has plenty of power, and if you don't have a good sound system, you will notice that your speakers will literally fail, due to the overwhelming wall of sound that Horowitz creates in the intense parts.

The tender moments are just as exciting, as they are enhanced by the very quiet and clear digital recording process. Liszt's Standchen and Mozart's Piano Concerto No 23 are only two of a myriad of highlights contained on this boxed set. Having these high quality digital recordings of this piano legend is a blessing that you can't afford to miss. And at this price, it's simply irresistible.

Tracks:

Suite No.2 BWV 1067: Polonaise et Double - Badinerie
Suite No.2 BWV 1067: Polonaise et Double - Badinerie
Sonata BWV 1031: Sicilienne
Concerto Op.4 #5: Alla Siciliana
Concerto DV 299: Andantino
Concerto Op.3 No.10, 'Il Cardellino' RV 428: Cantabile - Allegro
Concerto Op.3 No.10, 'Il Cardellino' RV 428: Cantabile - Allegro
Concerto In C Major: Allegro
Concerto In E Minor: Rondo Allegretto
Concerto In CMajor: Prestissimo
Greensleeves
Berceuse Op.16
Entr'acte
Concerto In E Minor: Rondo
Concerto For Flute And Orchestra: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

And Rampal gave the flute life..........2005-12-14

People may say that James Galway is the best flutist around, but after hearing his music with a big disappointment, I decided to see what the other master flutist had to offer.

Jean-Pierre Rampal's flute music is, without doubt, the most brilliantly expressed. It is a technical work of art that only a true master flutist can do. His performance is highly expressed through technical mastery. By using complex musical techniques, he gives the flute a magical breath of life more humanly expressed than supposed. Such techniques he uses to make his flute come alive in one of the highest expressions are extremely fast melodic transitions, rigorous articulation, ironic microphonics, and human emotion.

After hearing this album, I put my faith back into flute music. I don't believe Galway should be considered a master flutist alongside Rampal. Rampal's music is flexibile and expressive, while Galway's music is shrill and repetitive. I hope most people will come to realize Rampal's technical beauty in his music.

Tremendous.......2003-08-12

Jean-Pierre's music is amazing. I have enjoyed it thoroughly. I highly recommend this for any classical music fan.

Wonderful Collection of Flute Masterpieces Played by Master.......2003-01-09

One of the greatest flutists plays some of the best flute compositions here collected in a single disc.

From Bach to Mozart to Handel to Ibert and Poulenc, they're all here played by Rampal.

Tracks:

Wedding Bells - The #1 Wedding Album
Bridal Chorus - Wagner
Allegro - Peter Hurford
Trumpet Tune And Air - Philip Jones
Prelude - Pierre Cochereau
Air - J.S. Bach
Largo In F - Randall Wolfgang
Sheep May Safely Graze - J.S. Bach
Largo Ma Non Tanto - Regis Pasquier
My Heart Will Go On - Patricia Spero
Panis Angelicus - Luciano Pavarotti
Ave Maria - Lisa Otto
One Hand, One Heart - Jose Carreras
Alleluja (Allegro) - Arleen Auger
See The Conquering Hero Comes - Simon Preston
Let The Bright Seraphim - Joan Sutherland
Alla Hornpipe - Handel
Wedding March - Stephen Cleobury

Tracks:

Bridal Chorus - Stephen Cleobury
Trumpet Voluntary - John Wilbraham
Trumpet Tune In C - Purcell
Allegro - Maurice Andre
Sonata - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
Canon In D - Pachelbel
The Heart Asks Pleasure First - Jean-Yves Thibaudet
Sleepers Awake - Peter Hurford
Greensleeves - Goran Sollscher
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S. Bach
Ave Maria - Leontyne Price
O Mio Babbino Caro - Ranata Tebaldi
How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place - John Scott
Be My Love - Jose Carreras
Because - Placido Domingo
Rondeau - Simon Preston
Wedding Day At Troldhaugen - Wolfgang Marschner
Canzon In Imitation Of An English Bergamask - The Philip Jones Brass Ensemble
La Rejouissance - Handel
Wedding March - Mendelssohn

J.S. Bach: Complete Piano Concertos Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Very good
Great Performance!
Bargain Bach
Ditto for Volume Two-very good!

J.S. Bach: Complete Piano Concertos Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Complete Piano Concertos, Vol. 1
Bach: Concertos for Oboe and Oboe d'Amore
Bach: Harpsichord Concertos 1
Bach: Harpsichord Concertos 2
Bach: Violin Concertos; Double Concerto; Air on the G String

ASIN: B0000013R9
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Piano Concerto In A Major, BWV. 1055: Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto In A Major, BWV. 1055: Larghetto
Piano Concerto In A Major, BWV. 1055: Allegro ma mon tanto
Piano Concerto In F Minor, BWV. 1056: Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto In F Minor, BWV. 1056: Largo
Piano Concerto In F Minor, BWV. 1056: Presto
Piano Concerto In F Major, BWV. 1057: Allegro
Piano Concerto In F Major, BWV. 1057: Andante
Piano Concerto In F Major, BWV. 1057: Allegro assai
Piano Concerto In G Minor, BWV. 1058: Allegro moderato
Piano Concerto In G Minor, BWV. 1058: Andante
Piano Concerto In G Minor, BWV. 1058: Allegro assai

Customer Reviews:

Very good.......2001-05-01

Hae-won Chang has recorded two volumes of Bach's keyboard concerti. At the moment, Amazon carries only the second volume. But both are excellent recordings of all the seven surviving solo keyboard concerti on piano. Chang's articulation is crisp and expressively colorful, helping carry the often-suppressed counterpoint in these works above the orchestra--especially notable for concerti 1052 and 1054 on the first volume. Some of the performances here stand up to some of the other great recordings of these works on piano. The 1052, for instance, on volume one, is dramatic with unwaning impetus, rivaling even Gould's performance with Bernstein. Although the 1055 concerto is less successful, the famous 1056 concerto presented in volume two is dramatic in its first movement surging tempo, preparing for the calm and tastefully rendered second movement. And the third movement, so often, it seems, played with banging and clanging by many pianists, rings clearly here, mirroring the first movement's rush. The orchestra, of modern size, is up to the task as well; the 1058 concerto shows off the strings and continuo especially well in their brightness and range of force. One cannot go wrong with this set when looking for consistently fresh and clear performances on piano of Bach's solo keyboard concerti.

Great Performance!.......2000-10-27

The Naxos disc is really a great bargain, considering the wonderful and colourful performance of the soloist. Chang plays much better than Gavrilov, who seems to be unable to produce anything except staccato in Bach's concertos. Really nice!

Bargain Bach.......2000-10-15

Hae-won Chang plays these keyboard concertos beautifully and is sympathetically accompanied. This is playing of real distinction - direct and unforced: the CD would be a first recommendation even if three times the price.

Ditto for Volume Two-very good!.......1999-12-10

If you want Bach's concertos on modern piano, and you don't want to pay full price (or even if you do), look no further.

J.S. Bach: Konzerte Fur 2,3,& 4 Klaviere

Average customer rating:

Amazing performance
Very uplifting
Best recording I've heard of these concertos
Bland recording of really pretty music
talent, talent talent

J.S. Bach: Konzerte Fur 2,3,& 4 Klaviere

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Bach: Sonatas for Cello & Piano
J.S. Bach: Concertos for 1, 2, 3 & 4 Harpsichords and String Orchestra
Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets
Bach: Concertos
Mozart: Concertos for Two and Three Pianos

ASIN: B000001G6T
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Concerto For 4 Pianos And Strings In A Minor, BWV 1065: (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto For 4 Pianos And Strings In A Minor, BWV 1065: Largo
Concerto For 4 Pianos And Strings In A Minor, BWV 1065: Allegro
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Major, , BWV 1061: (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Major, BWV 1061: Adagio ovvero Largo
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Major, BWV 1061: Fuga
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Minor, BWV 1060: Allegro
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Minor, BWV 1060: Adagio
Concerto For 2 Pianos And Strings In C Minor, BWV 1060: Allegro
Concerto For 3 Pianos And Strings In D Minor, BWV 1063: (Without Tempo Indication)
Concerto For 3 Pianos And Strings In D Minor, BWV 1063: Alla Siciliana
Concerto For 3 Pianos And Strings In D Minor, BWV 1063: Allegro

Customer Reviews:

Amazing performance.......2007-01-09

I just love this CD,having many CDs in my collection I would put this in the top 5.I really recommend everyone try to pre-listen to it. Whats surprising is that I havent heard much about it in the reviews in Classical Music! A must for all Bach and Classical music lovers!

Very uplifting.......2005-05-02

I heard this piece in my car for the first time today - it is just one of these pieces of music which hits you and you know you are listing to something great. It was so far the best version I heard of Bach's piano concerto. And after I learned that it was the recording with Helmut Schmidt, I liked it even more. Being German and having lived in Germany while he was chancellor - how much better can it get?

Best recording I've heard of these concertos.......2004-01-30

I guess it really depends on your personal tastes, but I would have to say that this upbeat, lively interpretation of the world's greatest concertos (specifically the C Major double) is unparalleled. In the fast movements the notes are played largely staccato and the tempo is quite brisk for the most part. If you prefer this type of a performance (as I do) get this cd! Just as a side note, their ending of the second harpsichord solo in the first movement of the c minor double (happens twice) without a trill where just about every other version puts one is indescribably cool!

Bland recording of really pretty music.......2000-08-16

This recording of Bach's multiple-piano concertos is not as good as the harpsichord recordings of the same music. Although the performers are all very talented men in their own rights, this recording comes across as very mechanical and stilted. There doesn't seem to be any joy or life in their playing at all. I was rather disappointed, hoping that this CD would be as pleasurable to listen to as the harpsichord versions that I have heard.

Borrow it, lisen to it, but DON'T buy it.

Peace Out.

talent, talent talent.......2000-06-30

Bach...Okay, having established the bone fides of the composer let's move on the production: Hamburg Philharmonic...That's two down; all that's left is to discuss the pianists and now that's a tough one because while listening to it on my way home I was nothing short of entranced...I had to pull off at the next exit to make sure I wrote down the title etc.

Did I like it? Would I recommend it? Well, it's one of the items I'm buying for Christmas Gifts. Nobody in mind just yet but I know that somebody out there is going to make a comment about piano, Bach, classical music and I'll know I scored.

Tracks:

Beatles Con Grosso No.1 (In The Style Of Handel): She Loves You - A Tempo Giusto
Beatles Con Grosso No.1 (In The Style Of Handel): Lady Madonna - Allegro
Beatles Con Grosso No.1 (In The Style Of Handel): Fool On The Hill - Adagio
Beatles Con Grosso No.1 (In The Style Of Handel): Honey Pie - Allegro
Beatles Con Grosso No.1 (In The Style Of Handel): Penny Lane - Allegro
Beatles Con Grosso No.2 (In The Style Of Vivaldi): A Hard Day's Night
Beatles Con Grosso No.2 (In The Style Of Vivaldi): Girl
Beatles Con Grosso No.2 (In The Style Of Vivaldi): And I Love Her
Beatles Con Grosso No.2 (In The Style Of Vivaldi): Paperback Writer
Beatles Con Grosso No.2 (In The Style Of Vivaldi): Help
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): The Long And Winding Road - Ov
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): Eight Days A Week - Rondeau
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): She's Leaving Home - Sarabande
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): We Can Work It Out - Bourree
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): Hey Jude - Polonaise
Beatles Con Grosso No.3 (In The Style Of J.S. Bach): Yellow Submarine
Beatles Con Grosso No.4: Here Comes The Sun
Beatles Con Grosso No.4: Michelle
Beatles Con Grosso No.4: Goodnight
Beatles Con Grosso No.4: Carry That Weight

Customer Reviews:

Beatles meet Baroque - but the best of both is lost in the process.......2007-01-07

I'm a great fan of transcriptions of old warhorses - new wine in old bottles, or a new seasoning for an old dish eaten to satiation. Besides the inevitable synthesizer reworkings of Wendy Carlos and Don Dorsey, I have wonderful recordings of Vivaldi's Four Seasons for brass ensemble, recorder quartet and as improbable as Japanese traditional harp (koto) ensemble, as well as of Bach's Goldbergs for synthesizer, accordion, organ, guitar(s), brass ensemble, string trio, string orchestra, saxophone quartet, to which you might add Jacque Loussier's and John Lewis' respective jazz versions, and Robin Holloway's recomposition for two pianos - I'm still missing the one for two cymbalums and the one for handbells, but just wait.

And, as everybody else, I am fond of the Beatles. They knew how to write a good tune.

So I was a natural candidate for this "Beatles Go Baroque", which I snatched upon in first publication, back in the mid 90s. I find it disappointing, though. What you get is neither the best of baroque nor the best of the Beatles. The baroque you get is reminiscent of how it was played in the 60s and early 70s by ensembles such as the Jean-François Paillard Orchestra or the Stuttgart Chamber Ensemble led by Karl Ristenpart, rather than of Hogwood's Academy of Ancient Music, Pinnock's English Concert, let alone Il Giardino Armonico or Fabio Biondi's Europa Galante: square, a bit straitlaced, not very lively and dynamic. And some of the arrangements by Peter Breiner sound not so much baroque as like the easy-listening, slightly lachrymose lounge jazz that might go with the singing of Frank Sinatra (try track 13). Breiner is at his best when he composes fugues, like the one on Honey Pie (Track 4) or Michelle (Track 18), but overall I don't think he lives up very well to the challenge of how would have Handel, Bach and Vivaldi composed it, had they been given a tune by the Beatles. And his orchestration limited to strings, harpsichord and flute (in Bach, no doubt in imitation of the second orchestral suite/overture) doesn't help bring much color, either.

And as for the Beatles, many of the most famous standards are missing, and you get too much obscure and (to my ears) undistinguished stuff from the early years. Actually I find myself very much in agreement with the precise and thorough analysis of Neat-o - but for those very same reasons I rate it only two-stars. Ultimately, I'm afraid this release is unlikely to appeal either to amateurs of baroque music or to fans of the Beatles. Those looking for agreeable, undemanding easy-listening with vague Baroque and Beatles reminiscences might enjoy it. But for good Beatles transcriptions, I'd recommend instead the Canadian Brass (a disc called "All You Need Is Love" on Bmg/Rca) and the King's Singers Beatles' collection (EMI). They are just transcriptions of the Beatles' songs, they don't make any pretence at mixing two musical universes that are hardly compatible - and so much for the better.

A WELL ESTABLISHED TRADITION.......2004-04-30

The Beatles had hardly been going for 5 minutes before the Liverpool chamber group led by Fritz Speigl decided to put out a Baroque piece called "Eine Kleine Beatlesmusik" plus another called "The Beatlecracker Suite" and this was before the Americans had a go via Joshua Rifkins's "Baroque Beatles Book" on the Nonesuch label (which included the "Last Night I said..." Canata.
Fact is if you plough through the Goldberg Variations of Bach you will discover one that plays the first 6 notes of "She loves you" in exactly the same rhythm!!!

Meh.......2003-02-01

I listened to the samples online and it sounded intriguing. But the actual album is kind of bland. It has none of the pop of the Beatles themselves. Good generic classical music, though.

Neat-o.......2002-11-11

*Beatles Go Baroque* is a playful CD, in the same category as the *Christmas Goes Baroque* series produced by the same people. Although the music on this disc is more than mere orchestral arrangements of Beatles tunes, it's not in any way a serious study of baroque style. It is much more a play with polyphonic texture. The forms are not strict--no strict fugues, canons, ritornelli, etc. In other words, this disc is not a cerebral "Let's see how Bach would have handled 'Michelle' as a three-part canon with a free bass" type of study--it is, after all, categorized as "Light Classics." It would be quite a feat, however, to spin some of these songs into full-scale concerti grossi, for the Beatles tunes do not seem to lend themselves very well to baroque treatments. If you were to play this disc to someone who's never heard of the Beatles but who knows classical music (not sure where to find someone like that), he would not mistaken these works for true baroque compositions. While Peter Breiner has made some ingenius amalgamations (for instance, you think you're about to hear the Bourrée from Bach's second Overture, and suddenly "We can Work It Out" turns up), he's also made quite a few stylistic compromises in his transformation of the Beatles songs. The play on Handel and Vivaldi do not work quite so well. The always recognizable Vivaldi harmonic and virtuosic flair seems to have been lost for the most part, with the exception of a vague resemblance of the "Spring" concerto for three of its movements, most recognizably the middle movement for "And I Love Her." The style of Handel seems to be playing off of parts of "Alexander's Feast" concerto, but not very strongly. Breiner seems to be most comfortable when writing without a particular composer's style in mind, such as with the fourth concerto grosso (although the notes mention it could be interpreted as Corelli's). The Bachian concerto, however, is recognizably Bach because it is almost a movement-by-movement translation of not a concerto but Bach's Overture no. 2. "She's Leaving Home," done in the style of a sarabande as one of the movements, is a beautiful, poignant work by itself. In fact, many of these pieces could by themselves be musically elegant and charming without the gimmick of Beatles tunes done in eighteenth century fashion. But while the four so-called concerti grossi here are a curious listen for both Beatles fans and baroque music fans alike, with the baroque style watered down, Beatles fans will probably get more out of hearing Beatles tunes put through the contrapuntal exercise. Serious baroque fans will just have to make do with light fun.

A unique Beatles interpretation.......2001-02-28

This is the CD for serious listeners of classical music AND serious listeners of the Beatles. Where pops orchestras have failed, Peter Breiner succeeds. His arrangements of Beatles songs, rather than being simply rock band transcriptions for orchestra, are more like unique compositions based on Beatles themes.

Don't let the "looseness" of these arrangements scare you off, however. They are a good exercise for the ear -- can YOU pick out the melody among the busy melodic textures that are integral to Baroque music? With some pieces it's easier than others. The CD kicks off with an jaunty rendition of "She Loves You" that defies all other interpretations of it, orchestral or otherwise. From this point on you know you're in for a very different sort of Beatles trip.

The songs are wisely divided between fast and slow movements -- all of them being a treat for the ear. Among the best fast movements are robust renditions of "Help," "Lady Madonna," and a witty "Yellow Submarine." On the slow end of the spectrum, "And I Love Her" is supremely beautiful on violin, and "The Long and Winding Road" comes out so elegantly that it puts the original version of the song to shame. However, the cleverest track on the album has to be "Michelle." Taking the main theme of the song, Peter Breiner's orchestra creates a perfect FOUR-PART COUNTERPOINT! Of course, this technical term means little to most listeners, but it basically means that you have to hear "Michelle" to believe it.

Customer Reviews:

Bach with a nice difference.......2007-02-16

Bach, hmmmm, one of the desert island composers for me. I own three complete organ works (yeah I need a life). This is one of the better. The recording quality is faultless. And for a laugh, listen to the wonderfull reeds of the pedal department jumping from left to right (speaker) in BWV 550 ... Prelude and Fugue in G Major ... I just love stereo when the mics are right in the middle of the organ and you hear the pipes singing from left to right!! Another wonderful surprise was Ritchie's use of the 32' reed stop in the famous Toccata and Fugue in D minor.

I can almost hear the purists intake of breath, tsk tsk's and see their rolling eyes. However, Bach did travel around central Germany and I read in Grove's Dictionary his comment about the wonderful 32' stop at Leipzig.

The collection of American organs on this set was also an eye opener for me (not being from America) and only knowing about the monster organs like St. John the Devine (NY) or the Wannamaker. It's good to know that there are some beautifully voiced and balanced smaller organs to be found.

No Need to Look Further.......2007-01-04

All the superlative reviews of this set are correct. The sound engineering is superb. The performances range from the sublime to the magisterial, as one would expect with Bach's organ works. If you order direct from Raven Records, you can pick up this set for about $50. They delivered it promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed!! I've never purchased a box set of CDs that gave you more for your money.

Rave reviews in the music press.......2006-11-23

The following comments have been published by major music publications:

"Impossible to recommend highly enough!" reviews The American Organist

"This is Bach as Bach intended his music to be heard,"
writes John Holland, The Diapason

"You couldn't ask for a more concise showcase of the last 20 years of 'historically informed' American organ building,"
writes Jonathan Ambrosino, Choir & Organ, December 2006

"[Bach would] empathise with Ritchie's incisive yet never finicky articulation, be it . . . lyrically flowing or . . . multi-stop climaxes. . . . Ritchie's linear clarity and effortless execution of the difficult pedal writing is world class. . . . engineering is consistently excellent," reviews Jed Distler in the Gramophone, November 2006

". . .an ideal combination of music, performance, instruments, recording . . ."
Arthur Lawrence, The American Organist

". . . a reference-level collection, it should be in any serious library, and should be reached for frequently. . . Everything about this production exhibits the highest quality. When the need is to hear Bach played to perfection, this set should be at hand. Impossible to recommend highly enough!"
Paul Aldridge, The American Organist, November 2006

"These performances are ripe with a depth of scholarship, musicality, and knowledge . . ."
Haig Mardirosian, The American Organist

J.S. Bach: Air On A G String; Brandenburg Concerto No. 4; Tocatta & Fugue in D Minor [Germany]

Average customer rating:

J.S. Bach: Air On A G String; Brandenburg Concerto No. 4; Tocatta & Fugue in D Minor [Germany]
Bach , Rpo , and Carney
Manufacturer: Royal Phil. Orch.
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000051NTA
Release Date: 2006-05-03

Tracks: