Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Jascha Horenstein, Chamber Orchestra of Vienna Symphony Orc :: Bach: Brandenburg Concertos

A WONDERFUL PIECE WITH SOME SLIGHT RECORDING PROBLEMS

basic_music_fan | Cleveland Heights Ohio | 05/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For the most part Jascha Horenstein's recording of the Brandenburg Concerti is a treat. The Chamber Orchestra plays the piece fairly well, particularly the Horns, Harpsichord, and the Strings. The strings meet the rigorous challenges of precision that this great baroque piece requires. I also found that the Harpsichord came through well as both in its background and solo roles. Furthermore, ensemble overall shines in its transitions in different phases of the concerto as well as working as an overall unit. Pitch-wise it is an excellent performance while the individual intensities of each instrument are adequate. My personal favorite of the piece is the third movement of the first concerto particularly at the 1:35 mark. The principle reason why I gave this piece only four stars is because there are some recording problems in the piece. This is a 1954 performance and it was obvious that the LP it was originally recorded on had some scratches. While these scratches are minor, they are still noticeable if the listener is paying their primary attention to the piece. It is most noticeable for the fourth concerto third movement. Still that should be understandable given the performance's age. Another problem was the flute in the early part of the first CD. It simply was too loud and seemed at points as if he was six inches from one's face. It tended at points to drown the rest of the ensemble's voice. Still these were minor points and one must pay some attention to see them. They only take slightly from the overall performance.Overall it was a good performance and is worth the price. While I would not recommend the piece for the very early beginner, it is definitely a good buy for the beginning baroque collector with a small budget. It is also a good buy for people that want to work or study to classical music. I also feel that it could be used as background at a dinner party, but there are probably better choices. Overall the true listener will enjoy this piece. Hats off to Jascha."

Astonishing Horenstein

T. Beers | Arlington, Virginia United States | 10/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I stick by my decision to give this CD five stars even though the recording quality (bright and clear mid-'50s mono) leaves something to be desired. But the music is the thing and it is nothing less than astonishing how vital and, yes, 'contemporary' these performances sound. When Jascha Horenstein recorded these "Brandenburgs" with members of the Vienna Symphony (including a very young Nikolaus Harnoncourt), most recordings of Bach were made with full symphony orchestras that made these endlessly fascinating concertos sound syrupy and just plain dull. Not here! Horenstein, like Fritz Reiner in another pioneering effort (CBS, nla), insists on using a chamber-sized orchestra that (unlike Reiner's otherwise estimable band) includes at least some original, Baroque-era instruments. The performers play with zest and a sense of real discovery and the results are musically very satisfying. Not a first choice, but don't let anyone be put off from buying this as a second or third set of this glorious music. At the Vox price you can afford to indulge in that kind of extravagance and your musical rewards will be many."

Alpha, Omega, Begining and End

Jeremiah D. Braunlin | New York | 02/16/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The music of J.S. Bach is considered "eternally" great. Mr. Horenstein, in this recording presents the modern listener with a chance to hear "eternity's past," through a recording of the past. When it comes to the recordings of Bach, one never gets tired of, or upset by technological recording malfuctions. Bach was able to face this fallen world (i.e. which now, also includes those "less than perfect sound quality recordings") in peace and joy through is love of music and his God. His music shows this. Be it the scratchy needle from a priceless phonograph record or the sweet silence of Super Audio CD's, the Brandenburg Concertos is a work of art, that the truely dedicated lister will realize transcends time itself - and also the dictates of time (i.e, the recording etc.). Nothing could be more true of this recording.Even the greatest recording, sound quality and conducting of any other composer's work, could never compare to the invaluable wealth and creativity found within - even the "worst" recording of Bach - this early and historically important rendition, with the late and dear Mr. Horenstein, is great because of the music behind it -- not because of the technology used to record it. To understand this perticular recording is to understand that any recording of Bach, should not be judged by the recording quality of any perticular CD itself - but by the music itself. In the case of Bach, he has stood the test of time itself - and so has this CD."