Search - Bach, Faerber, Wurttemburger Orchestra :: Piano Concerti

Good performances, some editting problems

04/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With four harpsichordists rotating to play all of Bach's extant keyboard concerti, one can be certain that the quality of each performance will be inconsistent with another. This is not to say that one performance on here is vastly superior or inferior to another; however, there are problems with this set, most of which are probably by way of after the performances--that is, by way of editting. To begin with, the very good notes contained within the set have some editting problems in themselves. But more importantly, the sound quality isn't top notched--but a lot of Vox CDs aren't known for sound quality. The triple harpsichord concerti, BWV 1064, sounds especially confusing, as though they recorded all three harpsichords on one track. The double harpsichord concerto has a minor problem where a bar in the first movement seems to be incomplete, as though the editting team had spliced some parts together and had just left out the end of the bar before the ritornello restates. Trills are also shortened there, when the score indicates otherwise. The 1056 concerto, second movement, is a bit sloppy. Notwithstanding, the 1052 concerto is thrilling, and the quadruple harpsichord concerto is considerably transparent. All in all, a set with problems, but the price is one that will compensate for the flaws."