Panorama: Bach
Performed on original instruments, this two-CD collection includes some racy performances of Bach's concerti. Although the recordings themselves were made more than 10 years ago, they are very clear and lively, and they're performed by leading exponents of period performance. For those who are new to "authentic" performances, aside from the differing sound quality and articulation, one might be surprised by the fact that the speeds of the various movements are much quicker than one might think. Also immediately apparent is the phrasing by Reinhard Goebel and the Musica Antiqua Köln in the Brandenburgs, which conveys a beautiful line that is hard to achieve on these types of instruments. There are indeed some other stunning highlights: the Adagio from Brandenburg No. 1, the technically demanding trumpet obbligato from No. 2, the almost uncomfortably quick Allegro from No. 3, and the superb violin virtuosity of No. 4. Overall, the performances compare very favorably with the many others on the market. If you want a more conservative interpretation, try theTafelmusik version on Sony.--Dominic Sewell