"These are remastered versions of recordings which are quite old (20 years old in some cases). They were made using modern instruments and female singers, unlike the Harnoncourt/Concentus Musicus set being made at much the same time, which went for full "authenticity". This will bias many against the Rilling work, but I prefer them to Harnoncourt simply because they work better musically - many of Harnoncourt's sound as if they were recorded in somebody's backyard. Besides, surely Bach's musical genius is universal and is capable of being played on non-period instruments. The gem here is BWV129, especially the exhilarating opening and closing chorales, with the three trumpet-playing Läubin brothers blowing up a storm. My only real reservation is that the recorded sound could be better."