Monica Huggett is such a well respected member of the early music community, both as violinist and conductor, that it is very difficult to understand the appearance of this set. Unlike her previous Bach recordings, this on... more »e is extremely wayward, played with such rhythmic distortions that the basic pulse of the music often disappears altogether. She also sounds insecure technically. Nearly any recording of this music will convey Bach's message better than this one; for a stylistically aware period instrument version try Sigiswald Kuijken (Edition Classico 77043-2-RG) or Jaap Schröder (Smithsonian ND 0382). And let's hope Huggett gets well soon. --Leslie Gerber« less
Monica Huggett is such a well respected member of the early music community, both as violinist and conductor, that it is very difficult to understand the appearance of this set. Unlike her previous Bach recordings, this one is extremely wayward, played with such rhythmic distortions that the basic pulse of the music often disappears altogether. She also sounds insecure technically. Nearly any recording of this music will convey Bach's message better than this one; for a stylistically aware period instrument version try Sigiswald Kuijken (Edition Classico 77043-2-RG) or Jaap Schröder (Smithsonian ND 0382). And let's hope Huggett gets well soon. --Leslie Gerber
CD Reviews
Don't listen to critics - hear for yourself !
Vlanes | Australia | 06/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I must say that I find the editorial review by Leslie Gerber to be a complete nonsense. Of course, the critic is entitled to any opinion, but... To be brief: I love this set. It is very calming, the recorded sound is rich and sonorous, with subtle fluctuations of rhythm. This is a recording which does not mean to stun you, or dazzle you with technical acrobatics. This is a probing, searching performance, inviting you to join the violinist and walk deeper and deeper into the limitless universe of Bach.
I have listened to it numerous times, with the same feeling of completeness. Each time I am left with a sense of satisfaction, of something important done.
I would like to caution any potential byers against paying too much attention to the reviewers as the one mentioned, or, misled by them, you may never experience something truly special."
A terrific performance
Vlanes | 08/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I cannot agree with the reviewer on this one. Huggett plays fast and loose with the rhythms in this one, so it's not for people who like their music at metronome beats. Her spirited, hard-driving style is historically appropriate and a pleasure to listen to. Fasten your seat belt and enjoy."
Beauty
carthy | Purgatory, Texas | 11/25/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I find this to be beauty unparalleled. It soothes the soul and ... well, has an amazing effect on my kids and my husband. I have bought a set for everyone I love so that they too can experience this."
Not up to Huggett's usual standard.
D. Fenton | Weehawken | 03/08/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This recording was a great disappointment.I know her Corelli Op. 5 Sonatas quite well and find them ravishingly beautiful, with a sweep and technical security, as well as a balance between ornamentation and structure that are unequalled.This recording fails to capture either the sublime or the gracious in these works. The interpretations seem too carefully planned with too little rhetorical sweep. And technically, perhaps because of the recording techniques, all the seams and joins between the parts of the interpretation are showing. One can hear her crossing strings within lines that should be seamless, and, indeed, one can even hear the bow striking strings that should not be sounding, even in slower passages.These pieces are certainly not beyond Huggett's technical or interpretive abilities, so it seems to me that the recording must surely have been rushed into production with too little time for the interpretations to mature.With the Sigiswald Kuijken version available for $7 less, there is little to recommend this relatively expensive recording, which is a shame given what Monica Huggett has produced elsewhere."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1