Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Café Zimmermann :: Johann Sebastian Bach: Concerts avec plusieurs instruments, Vol. 2

The Best Bach 2 ?

Ross Kennett | Narooma, NSW Australia | 02/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the second program of Bach from Cafe Zimmerman, see my review of vol 1, and it another superb disc. The works on this CD are the third Brandenburg, the Concerto for two Violins, BWV 1043, Suite no 1, BWV 1066, and the Concerto for Oboe and Violin, BWV 1060.

The Concerto for Oboe and Violin, which is one of my great favourites,is played with one instrument per part, like the works on vol 1, which again provides a clear and open sound. Cafe Zimmermann play with precision and joy, probably the best performance of this often recorded concerto.

The third Brandenburg, three violins, three violas, three cellos, with bass and harpsichord is also often recorded, there must be close to 100 recordings in the catalogue, but you seldom hear a poor recording. This one is one of the best.

The concerto for two violins has, with the soloists, three first violins, two second, two violas,two cellos, bass and harpsichord. It is a very popular concerto, with a much loved lyrical second movement. I do have a minor reservation with this performance in that the second movement is a bit too fast, only 7% faster than Manze and Podger, but I think that 7% is enough to detract from the beauty of the movement.

Suite no 1, two oboes and bassoon with small string orchestra, here four first violins, three second, two violas, two cellos, bass and harpsichord, is to me the highlight of the disc. It is played at a cracking pace, some will say too fast, but I find it results in an interpretation of great joy. It is interesting to compare it with a recording from the 1960s, a muddy dirge. We have much to be thankfull to those who have done so much in recent years to show how baroque music should be played.

Cafe Zimmermann, under the direction of violinist Pablo Valetti, is one of the best, I suggest the best, interpreter of Bach's orchestral works. Very highly recommended."