P. SIMPSON | North Yorkshire, United Kingdom | 04/10/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Dozens of Brandenburg sets are churned out every year but this one is well worth singling out. The playing is excellent, with lovely chamber music qualities, lightness of touch and nicely judged, sprightly tempi. What sets it apart from other recordings is Delos's VR surround sound. Until I heard this disc, I thought surround sound a very iffy gimmick, - extra resonance in a church via rear speakers being about as much as you could expect. But the sense of space given to every instrument in this recording is delightful, - they're not artifically spotlit, just beatifully placed and opened up within a vivid and real sound stage. And that just adds to the fun that all performances of the Brandenburgs should communicate."
Best sound on cd for a set of Brandenburg's + great playing!
J. Niss | Western Mass | 05/17/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Read the title of my review and read the other positive reviews here, and that about says it all.
I just bought these last weekend after a brief listen in a store. I compared them last night to my 3 favourite sets on cd and these came out very well in the standings on all counts, but surpassed the others sonically. This makes them a first choice on cd. Highly recommended.
Will I stop playing the others? No way. But when I am in the mood for modern instruments and superb recording quality, this is it!"
Bach done the way it was intended!
B. Flinchbaugh | Philadelphia, PA | 05/14/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This two disc set of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti stands out in every way. Audio quality is excellent. Playing is exceptional all around and stylistically appropriate. Being a trumpeter, I am of course drawn to David Bilger's light, effortless, crystal sound on the Concerto No. 2. Tied with Adolph Herseth's recording with Levine."
Delightful
JMB1014 | USA | 02/20/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I heartily endorse the other review concerning this set. I was looking for a non-period recording of these concerti and this one is a rousing good example of how satisfying modern instruments can be. The sound is round, with every nuance, however light, fully appreciated. The Paillard Chamber Orchestra's version on LP, with Maurice Andre and Jean-Perre Rampal, was my favorite for decades (and I still love it) but this is outstanding musicianship, clear ensemble playing and terrific sound. It makes for a joyous Sunday morning."