A very nice set. Definitive collection? Maybe, maybe not.
chefdevergue | Spokane, WA United States | 03/12/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"There are a lot of very nice things to be said for this collection. As is usually the case with the ASMF, the performances are always pleasant, competent & crisp. Do they dazzle the listener? On occasion, I suppose so. The same can be said for Leppard and his crew.From top to bottom, this is a very consistent set, but not one that takes my breath away. I suppose one could call it definitive, if for no other reason than that no one else has assembled a complete Bach collection that approaches the consistency of this one. I would be interested to see what the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, for example, might be able to unleash. A really good period instruments collection would easily displace this collection where my personal preferences are concerned, but such a collection does not exist.All in all, there is much to recommend in this set. For a 9-CD set, this is relatively affordable, and you could do much worse in terms of quality of performance. For me, this will do just fine until a superior collection comes along."
THEE SET TO OWN!!!
Ryan Kouroukis | Toronto, Ontario Canada | 06/12/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It would take me forever to rave about this set, so I'll keep it short. Bach's complete orchestral works and concertos conducted by Sir Neville Marriner with an all star cast of soloists!
...And it's all in a slim box too! The best music is all here, this is basically all you need for a complete set in your collection...! WHAT A DEAL...THE DEFINITIVE BACH SET!
I wish I could add more stars!"