Harry Newstone - J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1-6 (2017)

Dedicated to the Margrave of Brandenburg, J. S. Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are timeless works of art - their variety of styles and instrumental combinations reveal inspiration of the highest order. Karl Richter's Brandenburg Concertos are perfectly paced, clear textured and undeniably stylish. There's a level of sophistication in this performance which few recordings are able to equal. The Munchener Bach-Orchester has a sound that is in the German tradition and thoroughly idiomatic.

Richter's Brandenburg Concertos have it all; cerebral and invigorating with well sprung rhythms and soloists providing outstanding contributions as they explore Bach's multiplicity of orchestral sonorities. Bach's music has a directness, purity and honesty which charms the listener, but his sheer genius and inventiveness leave one in awe… he was truly touched by the hand of God. The Brandenburg Concertos find their foremost exponent in Karl Richter and these recordings leave one in little doubt that J. S. Bach was a genius and the greatest composer of the Baroque era. It is hard to believe that the Margrave of Brandenburg's orchestra failed to perform these sublime concertos. Then again, their sheer complexity would have taxed even musicians of the highest calibre…

Tracklist

01. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: 1. Without tempo indication
02. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: II. Adagio
03. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: III. Allegro
04. Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F Major, BWV 1046: IV. Menuetto
05. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: I. Without tempo indication
06. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: II. Andante
07. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major, BWV 1047: III. Allegro assai
08. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: I. Without tempo indication
09. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048 : II. Adagio
10. Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV 1048: III. Allegro
11. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049: I. Allegro
12. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049: II. Andante
13. Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G Major, BWV 1049: III. Presto
14. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050: I. Allegro
15. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050: II. Affetuoso
16. Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D Major, BWV 1050: III. Allegro
17. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: I. Without tempo indication
18. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: II. Adagio ma non tanto
19. Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: III. Allegro