Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Andrew Manze, Rachel Podger :: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos /Manze * Podger * AAM * Manze

Right key

rc_rc | Yorkshire, UK | 05/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I need to correct some earlier reviews which state that, due to this recorded performance being played at a different pitch to the norm (a semitone lower or thereabouts), it is somehow played at the wrong tuning.



From my enthusiastic layman's knowledge of period instrument performance, I know that, in the 17th, 18th centuries, etc, pitch had not been standardised at what current pitching is accepted as. Indeed, accepted pitch varied geographically.



I hazard that Andrew Manze et al have spent some considerable thought about which historically accurate pitch to tune their instruments to for this recording and, as a result of their scholarly and artistic superiority to the rest of us (otherwise WE'D be playing rather than listening), are probably much closer to what Bach 'intended' (as if Bach would object to varying interpretations even in his own day???) than some of the less informed reviews suppose.



I for one adore Grumiaux (especially in his earlier ECO [not Swiss] performances - much more vital and less romantic) in this repertoire. But Manze is a superb addition all the same, could be one of the very finest performances I've heard of these works. I recommend this without reservation, but not instead of the classic performances in this repertoire.



I hazard that this will eventually be considered a 'classic' interpretation - the key it's played in suits me fine, and the playing is accurate, wonderfully pacey and incisive, and with that beauty of line only found in a small handful of recorded performances.



"

Bach on speed

Musicus | Oslo, Norway | 06/20/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you dislike the brutal articulation of Andrew Manze, the lack of sensitivity in his athletic speed, I recommend you to go for another, less sensational fiddler, also he original instruments and I bet much better historically informed: Sigiswald Kuijken.

His unmannered and stylish performances you'll find by searching Amazon: Johann Sebastian Bach: Violin Concertos, BWV 1041-1043 - Sigiswald Kuijen / La Petite Bande."

I love it!

D. Huang | Fairbanks, AK, United States | 10/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, so much hatred from the highly edjoo-cated classicahl moozik snobs! IMHO, the purpose of art is to move the soul. That being the case, it doesn't matter if recording is good, any more than it matters whether your radio reception is good. I also don't believe that there is a "right" or "wrong" way to interpret a piece of music, any more than there is a "correct" amount of cheese to grate into your pasta. Go with what makes you happy, eh?



I think this CD is lots of fun, and is light and passionate. It puts me in a good mood. My SO was recently diagnosed with cancer, and I thusly turned off my car radio from war news and pulled out my favorite CDs to accompany my commute instead.



What made me smile again? Listening to this recording of Bach. Over and over. It sounds like how honey water tastes. Mmm lovely!"