Monteverdi: Madrigals

When I first started this collection, this box-set was in the first purchase I made. I listened to it, and was bored. Due to methodological discipline, I wanted to publish the corresponding post, so I listened to it again. I AM CURED !!
This is one of the best purchases I have done, and the price is fantastic for such a wonder. Really a little piece of heaven (ok, ok, I take it back).

And well, about getting cured. I recently listened a version of Vivaldi's 4 Seasons that played on some radio station. I was shocked to see that I did not enjoy it. I found fault and lack of brightness and intention throughout. Before, I would have been delighted just to have found it. Alas, civilized music listening has killed the last drop of my innocent self.

CD	Work	Musicians
CD 1	Madrigali erotici e spirituali	The Consort of Musicke
CD 2	Madrigali sui testi del Tasso	Concerto Italian Rinaldo Alessandrini
CD 3	Settimo libro de madrigali (Book 7 part 1)	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini Cappella Mauriziana Mario Valsecchi
CD 4	Settimo libro de madrigali (Book 7 part 2)	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini Cappella Mauriziana Mario Valsecchi
CD 5	Scherzi musicali (1632): Lamento d'Arianna Lamento d'Ottavia	Ensemble Arte-Musica Francesco Cera
CD 6	Lamento della Ninfa Combatimento di Tancredi e Clorinda Il Ballo delle Ingrate	Ensemble "Concerto" Roberto Gini

J.S. Bach: Die Sonaten für Viola Da Gamba und Cembalo

I have to concur with a couple of the reviews in the Amazon page, in that this CD irks me. Like a dozen mosquitoes swarming around an ear for an hour.
I can only say that I bought this CD as a recommendation based on the very talented performers, with the added plus of the sound of original instruments:

• Jordi Savall, viole de gambe
• Pellegrino Zanetti, Venise 1550 (sonata 1)
• (à sept cordes) Barak Norman, London 1697 (sonata 2,3)
• (altus) Andreas Doerffel, Klingenthal 1757 (sonata 4)
• Ton Koopman, Clavecin
• Christian Zell, Hamburg 1737 (property of Museo de la Música, Instituo de Cultura de Barcelona)

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Trio Sonata	C	BWV 529 / BC J5		based on the Sonate V for organ in C major
Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard #1	G	BWV 1027
Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard #2	D	BWV 1028
Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard #3	Gb	BWV 1029

Vivaldi: Flute concertos/ Recorder Concertos

The interpretations are impeccable. Refined, emotional and very baroque.
The flute concert in Am has lovely ornamentations. The two flutes (esp. in the adagio) of hte Concert in C are delightful.
Of course, "il gardinello" has not been dethroned. Its evocative quality really transports me from my listening room.

The recorder concertos are beautiful. Although the enthusiastic nature of the interpretation adds emotion to the pieces, the technical aspect of the recorder calls for not stronger wind stream, as it changes the frequency of the notes, causing out-of-tune notes.
The orchestral plays are very surprising and add a real zest to otherwise well-known concertos.
Janet See, baroque flute; Marion Verbruggen, recorder; Philarmonia Baroque Orchestra; Nicholas McGegan, director.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1				Janet See
Flute concerto	D	RV 427
Flute concerto	G	RV 438
Flute concerto	Am	RV 440
Flute concerto	C	RV 533	Stephen Schultz 2nd flute
Flute concerto	D	RV 428		Il Gardinello (the goldfinch)
Flute concerto	G	RV 436
Flute concerto	D	RV 429
CD 2				Marion Verbruggen
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 433		La tempesta di Mare
Concerto for Recorder	Cm	RV 441
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 443
Concerto for Recorder	Gm	RV 104	Dennis Godburn, basoon	La Notte
Concerto for Recorder	F	RV 434
Concerto for Recorder	C	RV 444
Concerto for Recorder	G	RV 435

Bach: Cello Suites

This was perhaps the first CD that I heard when I started building my collection. One and a half years later, I listen to Casals again, and I definitely appreciate his interpretation. Before I thought it sounded to harsh, now, I think it is dramatic. The difference in choice of words clearly demonstrates that I have (finally) added to my criteria the intention of the performer.
Casals attack are fierce, conveying a shocking impression which fills the space. The recordings (1936, 1938, 1939) are not flawless (acoustic and precision-wise) yet neither criteria is why you would buy this 2 CD set for.
Casals definitely opened a new way of interpreting Bach, and it is completely portrayed in the Cello Suiten.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1
Suite #1	G	BWV 1007
Suite #2	Dm	BWV 1008
Suite #3	C	BWV 1009
CD 2
Suite #4	Eb	BWV 1010
Suite #5	Cm	BWV 1011
Suite #6	D	BWV 1012

Cecilia Bartoli: Opera Proibita

This CD is outstanding. Cecilia Bartoli does not stop surprising from track to track. The technique, the expression, the range, the instrumental interpretation. The ordering of the tracks, which interrupted and mixed the oeuvres, worked to a very nice rhythm.
Bartoli's diaphragm control technique along with her varied timbres make this CD a text-book for singers. What exquisite tenderness for Händel's Lascia la spina cogli la rosa.
Les Musiciens du Louvre and Marc Minkowski appear on this Decca CD. As a bonus, the booklet includes the lyrics to these arias.i

1. Scarlatti: All'arme si accesi guerrieri (Aria dell Pace)


2. Scarlatti: Mentre io godo (Aria della Speranza)


3. Händel: Un pensiero nemico di pace


4. Caldara: Vanne pentita a piangere


5. Caldara: Sparga il senso lascivo veleno


6. Scarlatti: Caldo Sangue


7. Händel: Come nembo che fugge col vento


8. Scarlatti: Ecco negl'orti tuoi...Che dolce simpatica


9. Scarlatti: Qui resta...L'alta Roma


10. Händel: Lascia la spina cogli la rosa


11. Scarlatti: Ahi qual cordoglio...Doppio affetto


12. Caldara: Si piangete pupille dolente


13. Caldara: Ahi quanto cieca...Come foco allo splendore


14. Händel: Disserratevi oh porte d'Averno


15. Händel: Notte funesta...Ferma l'ali

Albinoni: Concertos opus 10, #7-12

Nice baroque. Nice soft listening.
I solisti Veneti, conductor Caludio Scimone
violin Giuliano Carmignola (#7-#10) and Piero Toso (#11 & #12)

This continues the CD in post albinoni-concertos-opus-10-1-6

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	F	Op.10 no.7
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Gm	Op.10 no.8
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.9
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	F	Op.10 no.10
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.11
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Bb	Op.10 no.12

Albinoni: Concertos opus 10, #1-6

Nice baroque. Nice soft listening.
I solisti Veneti, conductor Caludio Scimone
violin Pero Toso, all except op.10#5:Giuliano Carmigola
This continues the CD in post albinoni-concertos-opus-10-7-12.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Bb	Op.10 no.1
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	Gm	Op.10 no.2
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	C	Op.10 no.3
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	G	Op.10 no.4
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	A	Op.10 no.5
Concerto for violin, strings and continuo	D	Op.10 no.6

Bach: Sonate e Partite per Violino Solo I

It has not been as easy as I thought to enjoy all "classical" music. In this case I actually mean baroque which is my favorite hands down. This is the 3rd time I listen to the Sonatas for violin from Bach. I have also listened to the Suites for Cello several times. I can now tolerate their listening. In fact, I can say it is ok.

Mark Lubotsky, violin ( J.B. Guadagnini 1728)

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Sonate No.1	Gm	BWV 1001
Partita No.1	Bm	BWV 1002
Sonate No.2	Am	BWV 1003

von Otter: Music for a While (baroque melodies)

Amazing technical and expressive resources: the crescendo/decrescendo alternation during a legato is surprising. Joy, disdain for the world, intimacy, honesty. Although I love baroque, this is not my favorite. But for someone that enjoys vocal pieces, is a lover of technique, or likes baroque (and is not biased against the human voice, ahem, like me) this is an Archiv CD not to miss.

Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano
Jory Vinikour, Harpsichord & Chamber organ
Jakob Lindberg, theorbo, lute & baroque guitar
Ander Ericson, theorbo

Note: the booklet includes the lyrics.

Benedetto Ferrari

1. Amanti, io vi so dire

Girolamo Frescobaldi

2. Se l'aura spira

Giulio Caccini

3. Dovrò dunque morire

Claudio Monteverdi

4. Ecco di dolci raggi
5. Quel sguardo sdegnosetto
6. Adagiati, Poppea

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger

7. La Capona
8. Arpeggiata

Barbara Strozzi

9. Udite, amanti

Bernardo Storace

10. Ciaccona

Henry Purcell

11. Saraband with Division
12. Sweeter than roses
13. Dear, pretty youth
14. Music for a while
15. There's not a swain
16. An Evening Hymn

John Dowland

17. In darkness let me dwell
18. Can she excuse my wrongs?
19. Weep you no more, sad fountains
20. What if I never speed?

Robert Johnson

21. Fantasia

Bach: Double Concertos

Disc I-9 is one of Bach's best. It has those melodic counterpoint, complex theme development, concerto structure alternating slow and fast movements. He has played with the instrument selection, which make each unique, for this as well.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord, strings & bc	Am	BWV 1044
Concerto for oboe, violin, strings & bc	Dm	BWV 1060
Concerto for oboe d'amore, strings & bc	A	BWV 1055
Concerto for 2 violins, strings & bc	Dm	BWV 1043

Bach: Goldberg Variations (Leonhardt)

This is one of the most beautiful CD possible. Leonhardt's interpretations is precise, concise, yet emotional. Nothing is missing, nothing is too much. The sound is excellent. It is hard to think a person is playing something so virtuously.

Bach: Suites for Cello 1&2/2

Ah! What an amazing listening! Wispelwey plays so wonderfully: precise, emotive, subtle. I have heard (and posted before) on Casal's and Jaap ter Linden. Although both are recognized as good, I did not find either to appealing to my taste. I can also say that both have a similar free emotional style.

I look forward to listening more from Wispelwey.

Recording: January 1998
Baroque cello: Barak Norman, 1710
Violoncello piccolo (s.XVIII)

Bach: Concertos for 2 & 3 Harpsichords

Brilliant collection CD I-8.

Beautiful as it should be. Again flawless executions. (I have heard too many harpsichord works and feel a bit numb to comment further)

Musica Amphion, Pieter-Jan Belder

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Concerto for 2 harpsichords and strings	C	BWV 1061	Belder and Menno van Delft
Concerto for 2 harpsichords and strings	Cm	BWV 1062	Siebe Henstra and Belder
Concerto for 3 harpsichords and strings	Dm	BWV 1063	Belder, Henstra, and van Delft
Concerto for 3 harpsichords and strings	C	BWV 1064	Belder, van Delft, and Henstra

Bach: Harpsichord Concertos (2/2)

This is beautiful. Though the continuous listening of harpsichord works is a bit tiring, these works cannot be missed on any account.
The enjoyment I feel is so profound, that more words are irrelevant.

Brilliant CD1-7.
Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum
Burkhard Glaetzner

Christine Schornsheim, harpsichord/Cembalo
Armin Thalheim, cembalo
Mechtild Stark, cembalo
Violetta Liebsch, cembalo
Paul Leenhouts, recorder/Blockflöte
Karel van Steenhoven, Blockflöte

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Harpsichord Concerto	Fm	BWV 1056
Concerto for harpsichord, 2 flutes, strings & b.c.	F	BWV 1057
Harpsichord Concerto	Gm	BWV 1058
Concerto for 2 harpsichords, strings & b.c.	Cm	BWV 1060
Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & b.c.	Am	BWV 1065

Vivaldi: Concerti per mandolini e concerti con molti strumenti

Ah! what a joy!

Most pleasurable listening!!

The only thing I would have to say, beyond joyful exclamations is that I missed the recorder trills, that are so prominent in other versions.

Note: grade:F is for fabulous and favorite... It can't be Failed since I would not feel my attribute to evaluate a work like that.

Europa Galante & Fabio Biondi, direction and violin

Concerto RV 532

for 2 mandolines

Concerto RV 558

for 2 violini in tromba marina, 2 recorders, 2 mandolines, 2 chalumeaux, 2 theorbos & cello

Concerto RV 576

for violin, 2 recorders, 3 oboes & bassoon

Concerto RV 564

for 2 vioins, 2 cellos & strings

Concerto RV 319

for solo violin, 2 oboes, bassoon & strings

Concerto RV 425

for mandoline

Concerto RV 555

for 3 violins, oboe, 2 recorders, 2 viole all'inglese, chalumeau, 2 cellos, 2 harpsichords & 2 violini in tromba marina

Bach: Cembalokonzerte

This CD I/6 from Brilliant is exquisite.

BWV 1052 is, for sure, one of my favorite pieces of all. Beautiful harmonic progression, conflict in the theme, tempo and pace, softness of instruments. It has it all, though the Adagio lacks in my opinion.

BWV 1053 has some nice passages, but did not impress me much.

BWV 1054 is a great piece, too. Definitely a piece to have on a (formerly, duh ;) deserted island.

Finally, BWV 1055 is the most rounded work of the set. It is soberly impressive. The initial theme of the 1st movement is very nice. The finale is also very strong.

1, 2, and 4 need to be in a collection.

Christine Schornsheim, Cembalo
Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum, Burkhard Glaetzner

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Harpsichord concerto	Dm	BWV 1052		Amazing!
Harpsichord concerto	E	BWV 1053
Harpsichord concerto	D	BWV 1054		Beautiful
Harpsichord concerto	A	BWV 1055

Bach: Violinkonzerte

CD I-5 from Brilliant's take on Bach is beautiful too. Special are BWV 1041 and BWV 1042. The Concerto fro 3 violins is nice too, but too needlessly exalting. Concerti Dm and Gm did not tell me anything new (I might even skip them during next hearing :-o )

Emmy Verhey, violin
Camerata Antonio Luco
(all except concerto for 3 violins, as detailed below)

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Violin Concerto	Am	BWV 1041
Violin Concerto	E	BWV 1042
Violin Concerto	Dm	BWV 1052
Violin Concerto	Gm	BWV 1056
Concerto for 3 violins, strings & b.c.	D	BWV 1064	Rainer Kussmaul, Henk Rubingh, Thomas Hengelbrock: violins Amsterdam Bach Soloists

Bach: Orchestersuiten 3 & 4

The Ouverture of Orchestral Suite No.3 is a nice listening with a powerful Bach leading us into an important work, as I interpret it from the detail and richness of feelings, for him. In this case, when such a well-known piece is reviewed as is BWV 1068 Air and Gavotte I & II, we must place more attention on the particularities of the interpretation. The Air was so sweetly and precisely interpreted, with no abusive decor. Thoughtful sobriety. The Gavotte I & II are cheerfully and forcefully played. Well directed weaving of the different winds and strings sections.

Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen is so strong. It conveys perfectly the hopeful struggle needed to arrive at God's Kingdom. I must say that I personally feel that this is one of Bach's most achieved pieces. The organ setting beautifully the self-absorbed atmosphere, with the trumpet's leading the harmonic melody, and the strings sustaining it all with small bursts of energy. The main theme reappearing just to set what is important and not let the listener astray.

Personally I did not enjoy particularly BWV1069 in Brilliant's CD1-4. I would rescue the emphatic Réjouissance, from the otherwise well-built Orchestral Suite 4.

La Stravaganza Köln, Andrew Manze
Christoph Lehmann, Organ

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Ouverture No.3	D	BWV 1068		3 trumpets, timpani, 2 oboes, strings and continuo
Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 146 Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal in das Reich Gottes eingehen
Ouverture No.4	D	BWV1069

Bach: Orchestersuiten 1&2

These are too very beautiful. Obviously we can mention the more obvious Badinerie of the OS 2, but I have to mention especially Track 8 the Sinfonia from Cantata 29. The play is beautiful, and the theme is deep, in the dimension of inter-instrument (timbral?) counterpoint.

La Stravaganza Köln,
Andrew Manze

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Ouverture No.1 for 2 oboes, bassoon, strings and continuo	C	BWV 1066
Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 29 'Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir'			Christoph Lehmann, Organ	amazingly !!
Ouverture No. 2	Bm	BWV 1067	Masahiro Arita, flauta traverso (9-15)

Bach: Brandenburgische Konzerte 4,5,6

Breathtaking! Absolutely outstanding! (Knowing me, I think I have to be in specially receptive mood now)

Although I have heard them many many times, (and I have heard this precise recording before, Brilliant CDI-2) it still sounds so new. Such a compelling tempo, crystal clear distinction of instruments. For example in the Allegro of BWV 1049, I just noticed some virtuosissimi violin scales that I had not distinguished in any other recording.

Concerto no. 4 G BWV 1049
Rémy Baudet, violin
Pieter-Jan Belder, Saskia Coolen, recorder

Concerto no. 5 D BWV 1050
Wilbert Hazelzet, traverso
Rémy Baudet, violin
Pieter-Jan Belder, harpsichord

Concerto no. 6 B flat BWV 1051
Staas Swierstra, Sayuri Yamagata, viola
Mieneke van der Velden, Johannes Boer, viola da gamba
Lucia Swarts, cello

Pieter-Jan Belder, conducts Musica Amphion.