THE VIRILE, RICH-BLOODED BACH!
Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 01/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"
J. Sebastian Bach was a very virile, full-blooded man who worked all his life, had two wives, and sired about 20 children. Casals' realizations of Bach's music illustrate Bach's virility and vivacity. Casals conducts the Bach Concerti & Suites as he [Casals] plays the Bach Sonatas: with vim, vigor, and vitality; with rhythm, color, and accent; with dash, esprit, and intellect. In short, these are the very best realizations of the Brandenburgs available--or will ever again be available.
By the way, in these sessions and at rehearsals, Casals conducted sitting down with his cello on which he illustrated the tempi, accents and inflections he wanted for the orchestra, and used his cello bow as a baton. This is as real as it gets!
The soloists are wonderful. The recorded sound is bright and clear. The price is incredibly cheap. What are you waiting for?"
The best recordings I've ever heard of the Brandeburg
03/24/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love Bach, and I particularly love the Brandeburg Concertos, and I've never heard a recording of them as good as this one. The sound quality is also first rate. Even if you already own a recording of the Brandenburg Concertos you owe it to yourself to buy this one."