People who hate baroque music should listen to these CDs
chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 11/05/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a very very good rendition of Handel's Opus 6, made all the more remarkable by the fact that the OCO performs on modern instruments. Certainly, period instruments have become the rage these days, especially when it comes to the baroque period, but (echoing another reviewer) the OCO manages to make this seem irrelevant.The baroque style is probably the one musical style for which I have the least enthusiasm. If, for example, I never hear Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" ever again, I won't particularly miss it. Probably this is due to the fact that a lot of baroque music just is very badly & ineptly performed, with great frequency. The music looks deceptively simple; many people who have no business recording their performances are given a false sense of confidence, with often wretched results.Such is definitely not the case here. The tempi & dynamics demonstrate the wonderful discipline & control that the OCO is known for, and the end product is a wonderfully nuanced performance. Any music lover, even one who doesn't care for baroque music, should find this collection to be thoroughly enjoyable. It doesn't hurt that this is a relatively affordable 3-CD set, either."
Sensitive, clean,enthusiastic, and brilliant playing
Barbara H. Vaccaro | Mill Valley, CA | 11/21/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD keeps me company everywhere: Good perpetual motion for driving and enough contemplative movements for quiet listening, too. It would be excellent for the classical music novice, also."
ONE OF THE GREAT USED BARGAINS
G. Engler | The Frigid Northeast | 08/12/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Just a note to add my voice to the emerging chorus - this 3 disc set is currently selling under $10 on amazon form a variety of sellers. At this price it's a downright steal!
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, plays these chamber masterworks with the supple phrasing and extroverted flair that instills a sense of fun in their playing.
If you're simply looking for "some Haydn", or some chamber music if you "don't really like chamber music" as one wag noted above, you'll be more than satisfied.
If you're looking for an exciting musical experience, you'll be enlightened."