Alla Festa Leggiadra


16 tracks - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 107 Mb




contents:

Intro
1 Madrigale: Su la rivera (rebec, lute, harp, organ, cennamelle, straight trumpet, percussion)
La Primavera
2 Caccia: Segugi a cord'e (3 voices)
3 Danza: Salterello (cennamelle, bagpipe, slide trumpet, percussion)
4 Madrigale: Quando i oselli canta (voice, rebec, lute, harp, psaltery)
5 Danza: Salterello (viol, lute, harp, double pipe, percussion)
L'Amore
6 Lorenzo da Firenze (ballata): Non so qual'ì mi voglia (voice)
7 Danza: Lamento di Tristano e La Rotta (viol, lute, harp, psaltery)
8 Lorenzo da Firenze (madrigale): Come in sul fonte (2 voices)
9 Gherardello da Firenze (ballata): I' vo' bene (voice, viol)
10 Istampita: Ghaetta (viol, lute, harp, double pipe, cennamelle, percussion)
La Notte
11 Ballata: Lucente Stella (voice, lute)
12 Gherardello da Firenze (ballata): De', poni amor a me (rebec, lute, harp, organetto)
La Festa
13 Danza: La manfredina e La Rotta (bagpipe, pipe & tabor, straight trumpet, percussion)
14 Ballata: Amor mi fa cantar a la Francescha (voice, chorus, viol, lute, double pipe, percussion)
15 Ballata: Per tropo fede (voice, chorus, viol, lute, harp, cennamelle, percussion)
16 Ballata: Non posso far bucato (2 voices, chorus, lute, viol, double pipe, percussion)
17 Danza: Salterello (viol, lute, shawm, harp, double pipe, percussion)

Ensemble Micrologus

Complete Beethoven Edition


89 RAR files - MP3 220 Kbps (VBR) - 8.3Gb
Complete Booklets (ZIP)


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Contents:
Vol. 01. Symphonies (Karajan)
Vol. 02. Concertos (Barenboim, Pollini, etc.)
Vol. 03. Orchestral Works, Music for the Stage (Abbado)
Vol. 04. Leonore-Fidelio (Hillevi Martinpelto)
Vol. 05. Piano Sonatas (Kempff)
Vol. 06. Piano Works (Pletnev)
Vol. 07. Violin Sonatas (Kremer)
Vol. 08. Cello Sonatas (Maisky)
Vol. 09. Piano Trios (Kempff)
Vol. 10. String Trios (Mutter)
Vol. 11. The Early Quartets (Amadeus Quartet)
Vol. 12. The Middle Quartets (Emerson String Quartet)
Vol. 13. The Late Quartets (Lasalle Quartet)
Vol. 14. Chamber Works (Amadeus Quartet, etc.)
Vol. 15. Wind Music (Holliger, etc.)
Vol. 16. Lieder (Fischer-Dieskau)
Vol. 17. Folksong Arrangements (Lott)
Vol. 18. Secular Vocal Works (Abbado, etc.)
Vol. 19. Large Choral Works (Abbado, Chung, Gardiner, etc.)
Vol. 20. Historic Recordings (Furtwangler, Klemperer. etc.)

Vivaldi - Concerti per violino vol. IV "L'Imperatore"


22 tracks - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 129 Mb


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VIVTDP51.rar


Naive Classique welcomes newcomers to the Vivaldi Edition: renowned violinist Riccardo Minasi and a new baroque orchestra, Il Pomo d'Oro. "L'Imperatore" is the 46th title in the Vivaldi Edition and the 4th volume, out of approximately 12, of the series dedicated to the violin concertos whose manuscripts are held in the National Library of Turin. All the concertos selected here have been composed for, dedicated to or performed in front of Charles VI (1685-1740), sovereign of the Habsburg Empire, renowned as a patron and passionate lover of music. This series of 7 concertos is an overview of the complete art of Vivaldi as a composer and violinist: large scale of music, invention, expression, energy, power of evocation, considerable virtuosity. Riccardo Minasi is a leading Italian baroque violinist and is also an established conductor.


contents:

Concerto RV 331 in sol minore
Concerto RV 171 in do maggiore per S.M.C.C.
Concerto RV 391 in si minore op. 9 n° 12 (violino scordato)
Concerto RV 271 in mi maggiore ‘L’amoroso’
Concerto RV 327 in sol minore
Concerto RV 263a in mi maggiore
Concerto RV 181 in do maggiore

Riccardo Minasi, violino e direzione
il Pomo d’Oro


INDEX:

VIVTDP00 - Il Furioso
VIVTDP07 - Stabat Mater Concerti sacri Clarae Stellae, Scintillate
VIVTDP08 - Concerti da Camera
VIVTDP10 - Juditha Triumphans
VIVTDP11 - Concerti per Flauto Traversiere
VIVTDP12 - La Senna Festeggiante
VIVTDP13 - Concerti e Cantate da Camera I
VIVTDP14 - l Concerti di Dresda
VIVTDP15 - L'Olimpiade
VIVTDP16 - La Verità In Cimento
VIVTDP17 - Mottetti
VIVTDP18 - Vespri per l'Assunzione di Maria Vergine
VIVTDP19 - Sonate da Camera
VIVTDP20 - Concerti per Archi
VIVTDP21 - Orlando Finto Pazzo
VIVTDP22 - Concerti per Fagotto e Oboe
VIVTDP23 - Concerti e Cantate da Camera II
VIVTDP24 - Orlando Furioso
VIVTDP25 - Concerti per vari strumenti
VIVTDP26 - Concerti e Cantate da Camera III
VIVTDP27 - Arie d'Opera
VIVTDP28 - Tito Manlio
VIVTDP29 - Concerti per Violino I - "La Caccia"
VIVTDP30 - Arie Per Basso
VIVTDP31 - In Furore
VIVTDP32 - Griselda
VIVTDP33 - Musica per Mandolino e Liuto
VIVTDP34 - Concerti per Violoncello I
VIVTDP35 - Concerti per violino II - "Di Sfida"
VIVTDP36 - Atenaide
VIVTDP37 - Arie Ritrovate
VIVTDP38 - Concerti per violoncello II
VIVTDP39 - La Fida Ninfa
VIVTDP40 - Concerti per Violino III - "Il Ballo"
VIVTDP41 - Farnace
VIVTDP42 - Concerti per Oboe
VIVTDP43 - Gloria
VIVTDP44 - Armida al Campo d'Egitto
VIVTDP45 - Concerti per Fagotto I
VIVTDP46 - Ottone in Villa
VIVTDP47 - Arie per Tenore
VIVTDP48 - Concerti per Fagotto II
VIVTDP49 - Teuzzone
VIVTDP50 - Sonate da Camera a tre, opus 1
VIVTDP51 - Concerti per violino vol. IV "L'Imperatore"
VIVTDPND - New Discoveries
VIVTDPOP - Operas
VivFolViv - La Folie

Johann Sebastian Bach - The Cantatas


50 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - 50 RAR - 6.1 Gb


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For those who are not familiar with the Bach Collegium Japan, it is an orchestra and choir founded in 1990 by their director and keyboard player Masaaki Suzuki. The orchestra is renowned as Japan’s leading period instrument players applying their historically informed knowledge of sacred baroque music and specialising in the work of J.S. Bach. The chosen venue for Suzuki’s cycle of recordings has been the Shoin Women’s University Chapel in Kobe, Japan.
Suzuki really is a master of his art directing impeccable vocal and instrumental performances.

I added to each folder the score of the cantatas and I hope this is good enough to celebrate post n° 1001. Enjoy.

contents:


Vol.1 (BWV 4, 150, 196)
Vol.2 (BWV 71, 131, 106)
Vol.3 (BWV 12, 54, 162, 182)
Vol.4 (BWV 163, 165, 185, 199)
Vol.5 (BWV 18, 143, 152, 155, 161)
Vol.6 (BWV 21, 31)
Vol.7 (BWV 61, 63, 132, 172)
Vol.8 (BWV 22, 23, 75)
Vol.9 (BWV 24, 76, 167)
Vol.10 (BWV 179, 105, 186)
Vol.11 (BWV 136, 138, 95, 46)
Vol.12 (BWV 147, 21)
Vol.13 (BWV 64, 25, 69a, 77, 50)
Vol.14 (BWV 148, 48, 89, 109)
Vol.15 (BWV 40, 60, 70, 90)
Vol.16 (BWV 194, 119)
Vol.17 (BWV 153, 154, 73, 144, 181)
Vol.18 (BWV 66, 134, 67)
Vol.19 (BWV 86, 37, 104, 166)
Vol.20 (BWV 184, 173, 59, 44)
Vol.21 (BWV 65, 81, 83, 190)
Vol.22 (BWV 20, 7, 94)
Vol.23 (BWV 10, 93, 178, 107)
Vol.24 (BWV 8, 33 and 113)
Vol.25 (BWV 78, 99 and 114)
Vol.26 (BWV 180,122 and 96)
Vol.27 (BWV 5, 80 and 115)
Vol.28 (BWV 26, 62, 116, and 129)
Vol.29 (BWV 2, 3, 38 and 135)
Vol.30 (Solo Cantatas (BWV 51 and 1127)
Vol.31 (BWV 91, 101, 121 and 133)
Vol.32 (BWV 111, 123, 124 and 125)
Vol.33 (BWV 41, 92, and 130)
Vol.34 (BWV 1, 126, and 127)
Vol.35 (BWV 74, 87, 128 and 176)
Vol.36 (BWV 42, 103, 108 and 6)
Vol.37 (BWV 169, 170, and 35)
Vol.38 (BWV 52, 82, 55 and 58)
Vol.39 (BWV 68, 175, 28, 183 and 85)
Vol.40 (BWV 137, 168, 79 and 164)
Vol.41 (BWV 56, 82, 158 and 84)
Vol.42 (BWV 72, 32, 13 and 16)
Vol.43 (BWV 110, 57 and151)
Vol.44 (BWV 146, 88 and 43)
Vol.45 (BWV 39, 187 and 129)
Vol.46 (BWV102 (BWV 102, 45, 17 and 19)
Vol.47 (BWV 36, 47 and 27)
Vol.48 (BWV 34, 117, 98 and 120)
Vol.49 (BWV 88, 156, 159 and 171)
Vol.50 (BWV 149, 145, 174 and 49)


Bach Collegium Japan
dir. Masaaki Suzuki

Vivaldi - Teuzzone


3 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 242Mb


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(Vivaldi Edition - Tesori del Piemonte n°49)



TEUZZONE

musica di

Antonio Lucio VIVALDI

libretto di

Apostolo ZENO

(Mantova 1719)

Libretto

Synopsis (english)



Paolo Lopez (Sopraniste) Teuzzone
Raffaella Milanesi (Soprano) Zelinda
Delphine Galou (Contralto) Zidiana
Furio Zanasi (Baritono) Sivenio
Roberta Mameli (Soprano) Cino
Antonio Giovannini (Controtenore) Egaro
Makoto Sakurada (Tenore) Troncone

Le Concert des Nations
dir. Jordi Savall

Agrell - Orchestral Works


19 tracks - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 132Mb


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Johan Joachim Agrell (1701-1765) was in many ways a traveller between the worlds: in Uppsala, the Swede's great talent was recognized by the Hessian envoy, which resulted in Agrell being summoned to a court near Kassel in Germany. He later went as municipal chapel-master to Nuremberg. Musically, Agrell was a brilliant Baroque composer in whose works many of the new early Classical trends were anticipated. This CD thus continues the series of AEOLUS releases that feature the orchestral music of this exciting period, a series that has already very successfully presented works by Fasch, Hertel, and Molter. The Helsinki Baroque Orchestra is a shining star of Finland's musical life. The young musicians around the harpsichordist Aapo Häkkinen appear year after year throughout Europe. Further releases on AEOLUS are in preparation.


contents:


Sinfonia A major
Violin concerto D major
Double concerto for harpsichord and flute B minor [op. 4 no. 2]
Sinfonia D major
Oboe concerto B flat major
Sinfonia E flat major


Sirkka-Liisa Kaakinen-Pilch (Violin)
Pauliina Fred (Traverse flute)
Aapo Häkkinen (Harpsichord)
Jasu Moisio (Oboe)

Helsinki Baroque Orchestra
Aapo Häkkinen (Conductor)

Francois Couperin - Complete Chamber Music


7 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - 4 RAR 566Mb


CD 1 & 2
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CD 3 & 4
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CD 5 & 6
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CD 7 & score (Concerts Royaux - Les Gouts Reunis)
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contents:


This 7-CD set contains the complete chamber music of the French master, with the complete “Les Nations” (a musical depiction of nationalities), Concerts Royaux, Les Gouts réunis, L’Apothéose de Corelli and de Lully and other pieces.

Instrumentation is for traversos, violins, oboes, bassoon, viola da gamba, cello, archlute and harpsichord, expertly played on original instruments by the ensemble Musica ad Rhenum conducted by specialist Jed Wentz.

As a motto for this set may serve a quotation from one of the pieces by Couperin himself: “One should not attach too much attention to the precise measure of this piece, but one should sacrifice everything to good taste”!

"And herein can be found the strength of Musica ad Rhenum's interpretation : Seldom is French Baroque music offered with so much irresistible elan, can the structure be heard so clearly and are the melodies brought out with so much love for and attention to detail." Fonoforum


CD1
LES NATIONS
Sonades; et Suites de Simphonies en Trio
Premier Ordre - La Françoise
Second Ordre - L' Espagnole

CD2
LES NATIONS
Sonades; et Suites de Simphonies en Trio
Troisiéme Ordre - L'Impériale
Quatriéme Ordre - La Piémontoise

CD3
CONCERTS ROYAUX
Premier Concert
Second Concert
Troisiême Concert
Quatriéme Concert

CD4
Les Goûts-réünis ou Nouveaux Concerts
Cinquiéme Concert
Sixiéme Concert
Septiéme Concert
Huitiéme Concert dans le goût Théatral

CD5
Les Goûts-réünis ou Nouveaux Concerts
Neuviéme Concert Intitulé Ritratto dell'amore
Dixiéme Concert
Onziéme Concert
Douziéme Concert
Treiziéme Concert
Quatorziéme Concert et dernier de cét œuvre

CD6
Le Parnasse ou L'apothéose de Corelli
Grande Sonade, en Trio
CONCERT INSTRUMENTAL SOUS LE TITRE D'APOTHEOSE
Composé à la mémoire immortelle de l'incomparable Monsieur de Lully

CD7
La Sultanne
La Superbe
La Steinquerque

Pieces de Violes
Iere Suite
2eme Suite


Musica ad Rhenum
dir. Jed Wentz

J.S.Bach - Cantatas (Richter)


26 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - 27 RAR (2.28Gb)


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contents:


Volume 1 - Advent and Christmas

CD 1
«Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland», BWV 61
«Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn», BWV 132
«Christen, ätzet diesen Tag», BWV 63

CD 2
«Christum wir sollen loben schon», BWV 121
«Sehet, welch eine Liebe hat uns der Vater erzeiget», BWV 64
«Gottlob! nun geht das Jahr zu Ende», BWV 28
«Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm», BWV 171

CD 3
«Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid», BWV 58
«Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen», BWV 65
«Meinem Jesum laß ich nicht», BWV 124
«Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen», BWV 13

CD 4
«Was mein Gott will, das g’scheh’ allzeit», BWV 111
«Jesus schläft, was soll ich hoffen?», BWV 81
«Ich habe genug», BWV 82


Volume 2 - Easter

CD 1
«Ich hab in Gottes Herz und Sinn», BWV 92
«Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort», BWV 126
«Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn», BWV 23

CD 2
«Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern», BWV 1
«Himmelskönig, sei willkommen», BWV 182

CD 3
«Christ lag in Todesbanden», BWV 4
«Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden», BWV 6
«Der Friede sei mit dir», BWV 158
«Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ», BWV 67

CD 4
«Du Hirte Israel, höre», BWV 104
«Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen», BWV 12

CD 5
«Es ist euch gut, daß ich hingehe», BWV 108
«Bisher habt ihr nichts gebeten in meinem Namen», BWV 87


Volume 3 - Ascension Day - Whitsun - Trinity

CD 1
«Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen» (Himmelfahrts-Oratorium), BWV 11
«Sie werden euch in den Bann tun», BWV 44
«O ewiges Feuer, o Ursprung der Liebe», BWV 34

CD 2
«Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt», BWV 68
«Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen», BWV 175
«Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott», BWV 129

CD 3
«Brich dem Hungrigen dein Brot», BWV 39
«Die Himmel erzählen die Ehre Gottes», BWV 76
«Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder», BWV 135

CD 4
«Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis», BWV 21
«Ein ungefärbt Gemüte», BWV 24

CD 5
«Freue dich, erlöste Schar», BWV 30
«Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten», BWV 93

CD 6
«Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben», BWV 147
«Meine Seel erhebt den Herren», BWV 10


Volume 4 - Sunday after Trinity I

CD 1
«Es ist das Heil uns kommen her», BWV 9
«Es wartet alles auf dich», BWV 187
«Wo Gott, der Herr, nicht bei uns hält», BWV 178

CD 2
«Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist», BWV 45
«Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht», BWV 105
«Herr, deine Augen sehen nach dem Glauben», BWV 102

CD 3
«Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut», BWV 199
«Siehe zu, daß deine Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei», BWV 179
«Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren», BWV 137

CD 4
«Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ», BWV 33
«Jesu, der du meine Seele», BWV 78
«Wer Dank opfert, der preiset mich», BWV 17

CD 5
«Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen», BWV 51
«Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan», BWV 100
«Wer weiß, wie nahe mir mein Ende», BWV 27

CD 6
«Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben?», BWV 8
«Bringet dem Herrn Ehre seines Namens», BWV 148


Volume 5 - Sunday after Trinity II

CD 1
«Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottessohn», BWV 96
«Wo soll ich fliehen hin», BWV 5
«Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen», BWV 56

CD 2
«Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele», BWV 180
«Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir», BWV 38
«Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht», BWV 55

CD 3
«Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit», BWV 115
«Wohl dem, der sich auf seinen Gott», BWV 139
«O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort», BWV 60
«Ach wie flüchtig, ach wie nichtig», BWV 26

CD 4
«Du Friedenfürst, Herr Jesu Christ», BWV 116
«Wachet! betet! betet! wachet!», BWV 70
«Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme», BWV 140

CD 5
«Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir», BWV 130
«Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott», BWV 80
«Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit», BWV 106




Edith Mathis, Sheila Armstrong, Lotte Schädle
Ursula Buckel, Maria Stader – Soprano

Anna Reynolds, Herthe Töpper
Trudeliese Schmidt, Julia Hamari – Alto

Peter Schreier, Ernst Haefliger
John van Kesteren – Tenor

Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Theo Adam
Kurt Moll, Kieth Engen – Bass

Münchener Bach-Chor
Münchener Bach-Orchester
dir. Karl Richter

D.Scarlatti - The Complete Sonatas


38 CD - MP3 192Kbps - 45 RAR (3,65Gb)


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IMPORTANT: I noticed that in the original release some of the sonatas in Volume 1 were incomplete (K.20, 163, 172, 177, 178, 180, 185, 189, 191, 194) and one was missing (K.176). That is now fixed.



What will make this series by Richard Lester the first (and currently the only) truly complete recording of Scarlatti's keyboard sonatas is the inclusion in Volume 7 of works extra to the heretofore accepted fifteen-Volume corpus, works authenticated by W. Dean Sutcliffe, author of The Keyboard Works of Domenico Scarlatti; he also supplied some manuscripts. Such manuscripts in Scarlatti's own hand are rare. Lester also points out that, although the Kirkpatrick numbers are used throughout this project, the chronology of the sets follows Maria Barbara's manuscripts.

E.Mehul - The Complete Symphonies


2 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 177Mb


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“[Méhul has] been very well served by Michel Swierczewski, whose performances are notable for their vitality and neatness and by the Nimbus engineers, who have produced a very pleasant sound from the orchestra.” (Gramophone)


contents:


CD 1

Overture: Young Henry's Hunt
Symphony No. 1 In G Minor
Symphony No. 2 In D Major


CD 2

Overture: Le Tresor Supposé
Symphony No. 3 In C Major
Symphony No 4 In E Major

Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra
dir. Michel Swierczewski

Bach Edition (Brilliant, 160CDs)

160 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - 161 ZIP (13Gb)


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Brilliant Classics embarked on a daring project in the year 2000, the year of the 250th anniversary of Johann Sebastian Bach's death: this budget label decided to release a complete set of Bach's works. They were not the only label to do so - Teldec and Haenssler both did as well - but the Brilliant Classics set stands out for several reasons. First, they attempted (though did not fully succeed) to create a complete set entirely recorded on period instruments, using historically informed performances. As their web site states, "The new recordings follow scrupulously the newest developments and insights offered by the leading Early Music scholars as regards the performance practice of Baroque music in general and the music of Bach in particular." Well, not all the instruments are truly period instruments, and one cannot say the that performances are 100% historically informed, but this is not much of a problem, and there is no reason for this to be seen as essentially negative.
This set stands out for one very important reason: some 65% of the 160 CDs in this set were newly recorded (the remainder was licensed from other labels), including Bach's almost 200 sacred cantatas. The scale of this project is such that one could call it folly. Recording 200 cantatas - or about 60 hours of music - in 15 months is as mad as building a cathedral or digging a tunnel across the English Channel. In fact, one could think that any conductor who would be willing to attempt such a feat is simple crazy.
Not at all. In fact, if one thing stands out in this set, it is the 60 CDs of sacred cantatas, recorded in unique conditions, by a man who had never recorded any such quantity of music before.
The Cantatas
In October 1999, the first boxes of these cantatas, each containing 5 CDs, appeared on the shelves of the Krudivat drug store chain in the Netherlands. Some 500 stores started selling Bach cantatas next to aspirin and film; on the surface, this can seem ridiculous. But, at the unprecedented price of DFL 14.95 per box - roughly $1.25 per CD - Dutch people became fans of Bach's cantatas. More than 100,000 copies of each box were sold in two years in the Netherlands alone, far more than most classical discs sell in the entire world. An amazing feat for such "obscure" music.
Pieter Jan Leusink, conductor of Holland Boys Choir and Netherlands Bach Collegium and artistic director of the Cantatas project, managed somehow, against all odds, to create a true best-seller out of what is arguably some of the finest music in the western world, but music which is generally considered to be "difficult".
The two other labels who released complete sets of Bach's works, Teldec and Haenssler, did indeed record new discs for their sets, but each of them already had the cantatas in the box. Teldec had the groundbreaking first complete recording of the cantatas by Gustav Leonhardt and Nicolas Harnoncourt, and Haenssler had the later set by Helmut Rilling. Yet the Brilliant Classics set is, oddly enough, the first complete digital recording of the cantatas. (It should be noted that two other complete sets are ongoing: one by Maasaki Suzuki, for Bis, and another by Ton Koopman, for Erato.)
The cantatas were initially panned by critics outside of the Netherlands, and some within, on their release. Of course, one just naturally assumes that such a quick recording schedule must lead to poor-quality work. In fact, I remember when I first heard about the set, on the Internet, and people were basically dismissing it as second-rate. But as time went on, more people discovered this set and found it to be not so bad; in fact, it really is quite good. Naturally, it has its weaknesses, but these weaknesses are no more apparent than in the other two complete sets, those by Rilling and Leonhardt/Harnoncourt. The former can be criticized for his hybrid approach between baroque music and modern forces and instruments; the latter is often criticized for the choice of boys to sing all the solo voices, leading to some very poor performances by boys whose voices are not up to the emotional intensity of the music.
But Leusink is not as dogmatic as Leonhardt/Harnoncourt, nor is he as free in his choices as Rilling. He manages to maintain a rare level of emotion and energy throughout the almost 200 cantatas; he used basically the same musicians, choir and soloists for each cantata. On the other hand, Leonhardt and Harnoncourt were unable to do so, because it took them nearly 20 years to record their set. While Leusink's cantatas may have some weaknesses due to the way they were recorded - they were not recorded in their entirety, for reasons of time; on certain days, only choral movements were recorded, on others arias, in order to not have the musicians sit around doing nothing. So, not one of the cantatas was actually performed completely for this set. There are occasional cantatas where this seems evident, where there is a lack of coherence among the different movements. Nevertheless, listening to the entire set, rather than focusing on individual cantatas, one is truly amazed by the quality of the music.
To choose just one cantata to look at more closely, I have selected one of the most moving cantatas, the Actus Tragicus (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit - God’s Time is the Best Time) BWV 106. This cantata opens with a slow, haunting sonatina, an instrumental movement played on two recorders against a lush background of viols and organ continuo. This is one of Bach’s most memorable instrumental movements among his cantatas, and is played well - the balance of the instruments is fine, though a bit rough. The second section of the cantata is a long vocal section opening with four soloists (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) singing together. Many recordings of this cantata use a choir for this section, but recent recordings have featured a one-voice-per-part strategy here, as does this one. The texture of this is excellent, although the balance between the voices wavers a bit. The tenor, bass and soprano each have ariosos within this section. Tenor Knut Schock enters a bit heavily, but his voice is quite appropriate for the melancholy tone of his section. Bass Bas Ramselarr has a slightly dark, yet clear voice. His section features a delightful accompaniment by the two recorders - in an interesting counterpoint with such a deep voice - and, again, the balance is slightly off, his voice sometimes drowning out the recorders just a bit. Soprano Marjon Strijk has an interesting voice - slightly airy, a bit weak, but very attractive in its naiveté. She sounds almost like a boy soprano, with a wispy voice that is nevertheless pure and even. While her tone wavers at times, she is very enjoyable. The third section uses the viols to their fullest, giving the unique texture this instrument brings to vocal music. Alto Syste Buwalda is a conundrum - at times excellent, at others weak, his diction is a problem. His voice does not always sound clear, although his tone is excellent. The final section of this cantata is a coro, with a lively, optimistic tone. Again, it is sung here in one-voice-per-part, giving a beautiful texture. All in all, this cantata is indicative of the entire series - with high points and low points, some singers are fine, others weak, it is a mixed bag, yet still maintains an excellent overall tone and feeling.
The secular cantatas included are a recording made by Peter Schreier in the 1970s. Schreier is perhaps the finest evangelist in Bach's sacred vocal works, and has proved to be a very competent conductor of these works as well. His secular cantatas are very well-performed, and feature excellent soloists, such as Schreier, sopranos Edith Mathis and Arleen Augér, bass Theo Adam among others. The choirs on these recordings is not, perhaps, the best, but the overall sound is quite good.
Sacred Vocal Works
Here, again, Brilliant Classics has licensed recordings of the passions, masses and other works. The St. Matthew and St. John passions are good recordings by the Brandenburg Consort and the King's College Choir; I find these two passions to be a bit weak, and this is a shame.
The B Minor Mass is a fine performance by The Sixteen and Harry Christophers, which is subtle and well-sung. The choir, which is fairly large at 26 singers (whereas some recordings in recent years have used much smaller groups) is nevertheless of a size that allows the individual voices to stand out in the choral melange. The instrumentalists also play in perfect balance with the choir - the obbligato instruments fit perfectly with the vocal texture, and the overall sound of the orchestra is excellent.
Among the other vocal works - a total of 37 CDs - are some interesting works which are not recorded often: a collection of chorales, based on hymns, and Bach's "sacred songs". Most Bach lovers are unfamiliar with these works, which, while not being masterpieces, are fine music.
Orchestral Works
Many of the works in this set were licensed from other labels; a total of about 35% of the 160 CDs were obtained in this manner. Naturally, Brilliant Classics could not afford to get the best baroque performers - this is a super budget set - but one thing that the listener discovers in this set is that there are many fine, even excellent "second tier" performers of Bach's music. Many of the instrumental ensembles whose recordings are in this set are excellent. The Consort of London, for example, is a pleasant surprise. They perform the Brandenburg Concertos and the Orchestral Suites. Their Brandenburg set is an excellent performance of these concertos; the tempi are excellent; this is no staid, boring performance, as is too often the case, where the concertos are played far too slowly as though they are monuments rather than living music. The musicians here have found the right rhythms and give these pieces energy and emotion. The Orchestral Suites come across with the same vigor and energy, and these two sets of orchestral music are, in my opinion, among the best available on disc.
Chamber Music
Bach's "chamber music" includes a variety of works, from sonatas for violin and harpsichord to trio sonatas, from flute pieces to sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord. One disc that stands out is the Trio Sonnerie’s recording of the violin sonatas BWV 1021 and 1023, on a CD that also includes trio sonatas BWV 1038 and 1039 performed by two other ensembles. The performance of the violin sonatas sparkles, with the musicians, Monica Huggett on violin, Sarah Cunningham on viol, and Mitze Meyerson on harpsichord, clearly enjoying every second of this music. The two trio sonatas on the same CD, played by the Ensemble Il Quadrifoglio and the Bach Ensemble Heidelberg, are good recordings, but nothing special.
Solo Instrumental Works
Some of Bach's finest music is for solo instruments (other than the keyboard). His suites for solo cello, his sonatas and partitas for solo violin, and his lute works are among the most poignant and moving music he wrote.
The recording of the cello suits, by Robert Cohen, is a magnificent version of these amazing works. He these suites at relatively slow tempi, and plays all repeats. His reading of these works is highly personal, and his flexibility concerning tempi can be a bit disturbing at first - in some movements he plays the repeats much slower than the first expositions. Nevertheless, this gives this version a unique individuality that many other cellists lack. Cohen plays the music without showing off; it is clear that he is interested in the inner music that lies under the surface of these works.
The lute works are an excellent recording by Jakob Lindberg, recorded for Bis. He is a fine performer, and his playing is crystal-clear, though occasionally lacking in emotion; at times, his playing is a bit hesitant - something often heard on this instrument - but this does not mar the overall tone of these recordings.
The solo violin works are one of the major weak points in this set. It is quite a shame, because these are some of Bach's finest compositions. Mark Lubotsky suffers from an overuse of vibrato, making some of the movements sound like Gypsy music, and from a very poor rhythmic feel for the pieces. In some of the faster movements, it sounds as if he is rushing so much that he totally loses the flow.
Organ Works
The 17 CDs of organ music included in this set are by Hans Fagius, a set that was originally released by Bis records in Sweden. This is a fine set, indeed one of the best complete recordings of Bach's organ music. Fagius demonstrates a magnificent understanding of Bach's organ music, and the instruments used are excellent. One work, however, is lacking: the Art of Fugue played on the organ. It is included here only in a harpsichord version, although it is often played on the organ. (There is also no orchestral version of the work, either; but, you can't have everything!)
One work that stands out is the huge Partite diverse sopra "Sei gugrüsset, Jesu gütig", BWV 768. This long work, at over 19 minutes, is a series of variations of a choral prelude. After an initial presentation of the chorale, Bach takes off in his most brilliant set of variations for the organ. Using every resource available for the organ, he displays an incredible variety of styles, from simple two-part sections to elaborate counterpoint. Fagius’ performance of this piece is excellent, and he uses a wide range of registrations.
Keyboard Works
One of the advantages and disadvantages of this set as compared to the Teldec and Haenssler sets is that all the keyboard music is recorded on the harpsichord. This is an advantage because Bach wrote most of his keyboard music for the harpsichord - the piano was only invented near the end of his life. Not that there is anything wrong with playing Bach's music on the piano; I am instrument-agnostic. But there is a certain coherence here that arises from the constant use of the harpsichord.
Yet, this is also a disadvantage. The Haenssler set, in particular, features some unique, little-recorded instruments - there is a magnificent disc of music for the lautenwerk, or lute-harpsichord; there is a fair amount of music recorded on the clavichord; and, Robert Hill's masterful recording of the Well-Tempered Clavier - one of the finest on disc - is recorded on several instruments: harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and organ.
In any case, the keyboard box in this set is excellent. On 23 CDs, some wonderful performers are present. Joseph Payne's French Suites (originally recorded for Bis) are among the finest recordings of these popular works. Payne's approach to these suites is intimate and reserved, yet he does not hesitate to play somewhat more freely in the repetitions of the various movements. His interpretation is clear and unambiguous; firm in, say the first suite, more delicate, almost dainty in the sixth suite. Under Joseph Payne's fingers, these works take on a new feeling.
Pieter-Jan Belder's Partitas are sensitive and moving, though they do not approach the excellent recording by Trevor Pinnock, which is part of the Haenssler set. Belder has a judicious approach to the Partitas, though it could be considered a bit conservative.
The Well-Tempered Clavier is arguably Bach’s greatest collection of keyboard pieces. The recording here by Leon Berben is a mixed bag. The sound of his harpsichord has both good and bad points - it is an attractive instrument, but it suffers from a bit too much reverb. His playing is adequate, but his interpretation of the works ranges from inspired, in some of the pieces, to confused in others. It sometimes sounds as if he is right at home with the music, but, at other times, he seems to be unfamiliar with it, playing hesitantly.
Pieter-Jan Belder’s Goldberg Variations are quite good. He has a light, delicate touch in the opening aria, which starts this work out in a very attractive tone. His harpsichord, a Ruckers copy, sounds magnificent - just the right level of presence and strength. It sounds as though the instrument was miked very closely, giving a crisp sound, with each string’s plucking being heard very clearly. Often, such recording leads to a bad sound, but here it works very well. His playing is lively in the faster variations, and sensitive in the slower ones. This is indeed a fine performance.

How can one conclude such a review? With a simple yes or no recommendation? Well, if it were that simple, I would give a resounding "yes"; I do, indeed, highly recommend this set. I have recordings of all of Bach's works, and did before receiving this set - I have some 700 Bach CDs - yet I was delighted and surprised as I listened to the many pearls that I discovered in this set.
There are some drawbacks, though, mostly those inherent in buying any such complete set. While many of the recordings are excellent, there are some which are mediocre. Nevertheless, the good ones do outweigh the lemons, and, if you like Bach's music, you owe it to yourself to get this set - at its super-bargain price, even those recordings you don't like will not cause too much disappointment, but the quality of the excellent ones is such that you will certainly be delighted. (Note that the cost of some of the recordings in this set that have been licensed from other labels would far exceed the total cost of the entire set.) If only to have the 60 CDs of sacred cantatas, and to discover what is an incredible collection of moving and memorable music, this set is worth having. Treat yourself to 160 CDs of Bach, then, take a few weeks off to enjoy this music.

Kirk McElhearn

Read more: here


Contents:



VOLUME I
MUSICA ORCHESTRALE E MUSICA DA CAMERA

CD 1 e 2 - Concerti Brandeburghesi
Musica Amphion - Pieter-Jan Belder, direzione
Data di registrazione: giugno 2006

CD 3 e 4 - Suites orchestrali
Masahiro Arita, flauto traverso - Christoph Lehmann, ogano
La Stravaganza Köln - Direzione Andrew Manze
Luogo e data di registrazione : Maison de la Radio de Cologne, 1994

CD 5 – Concerti per violino
Emmy Verhey, violino – Camerata Antonio Luco
Concerto en re maggiore BWV 1064 (3 violini)
Rainer Kussmaul, Henk Rubingh, Thomas Hengelbrock, violini
Amsterdam Bach Soloists
Data di registrazione: 1992, 1988

CD 6 e 7 – Concerti per clavicembalo
Christine Schornsheim, Armin Thalheim, Mechtild Stark, Violetta Liebsch, clavicembalo
Neues Bachisches, Collegium Musicum - Burkhard Glaetzner, direzione
Data di registrazione: 1990, 1992

CD 8 – Concerti per 2 e 3 clavicembali
Musica Amphion - Pieter-Jan Belder, direzione
Data di registrazione: giugno 2006

CD 9 – Concerti doppi
Marieke Schneemann, flauto - Liz Perry, violino - Menno van Delft, clavicembalo - Daniëlle Kreeft, oboe - Juditha Heberlin, violino - Ensemble Bach des Pays-Bas
Rob Visser, oboe d’amore - Solistes Bach d'Amsterdam
Darius Polack e Kamil Drzyzgula, violino – Orchestra da Camera di Lodz
Zdzislav Szostak, direzione

CD 10 e 11 – Sonate e partite per violino
Mark Lubotsky, violino (J.B. Guadagnini 1728)
Registrazione originale Brilliant Classics
Luogo e data di registrazione : Utrecht, Chiesa Maria Minor - novembre 1987

CD 12 e 13 - Suites per violoncello da BWV 1007 a BWV 1012
Jaap Ter Linden, violoncello
Registrazione originale Brilliant Classics
Data di registrazione: giugno 2006

CD 14 e 15 - Sonate per flauto da BWV 1030 a BWV 1035
Stephen Preston, flauto traverso
Tevor Pinnock, calvicembalo
Jordi Savall, viola da gamba

CD 16 e 17 – Musica per liuto da BWV 995 a BWV 1000
Jakob Lindberg, liuto
Luogo e data di registrazione: Djursholm, Suède, 1992

CD 18 – Sonate per viola da gamba
John Dornenburg, viola da gamba
Malcom Proud, clavicembalo
Data di registrazione: 1991

CD 19 - L’Offerta musicale BWV 1079
Candy Thompson, violino
Marieke Schneedmann, flauto
Floris Mijnders, violoncello
David Jansen, clavicembalo
Krijn Koetsveld, organo e direzione
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, Pays-Bas -1999

CD 20 e 21 - Sonate per violino e clavicembalo da BWV 1014 a 1019
Luis Otavio Santos, violino
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 22 - Quaderno di Anna Magdalena Bach
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo e organo
Johannette Zomer, soprano
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 23 – Sonate per violino e basso continuo BWV1022 e BWV 1023, Sonate in trio BWV 1038 e BWV 1039
Trio Sonnerie: Monica Huggett, violino – Sarah Cunningham, viola da gamba – Mitzi Meyerson, clavicembalo – Ensemble Il Quadrifoglio – Bach Ensemble Heildeberg
Data di registrazione: 1987




VOLUME II
MUSICA PER TASTIERA

CD 1-4 – Il clavicembalo ben temperato (Libro I e II)
Leon Berben, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 5-6 - Partite per clavicembalo da n° 1 a n° 6 da BWV 825 a BWV 830
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione : Rotterdam e Utrecht, 1999

CD 7-9 - Sonate, Suite, Preludi e Fughe (musica composta tra il 1700 e il 1710)
Christiane Wuyts, clavicembalo
Data di registrazione: Bruxelles, 1988

CD 10 - Concerto in stile italiano, Fantasia cromatica e Fughe, Ouverture alla francese
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Rotterdam, Utrecht, 1999

CD 11 – Variazioni Goldberg
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Rotterdam, Utrecht, 1999

CD 12 e 13 – Suites inglesi
Bob Van Asperen, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 14 e 15 – Trascrizioni di concerti
Pieter Dirksen, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Rotterdam, Utrecht, 1999

CD 16 e 17 – Suites francesi
Joseph Payne, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione : Boston, USA - 1992

CD 18 – Toccate
Menno Van Delft, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 19 e 20 – L’arte della Fuga
Menno Van Delft, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999

CD 21 22 e 23 - Sonate, Suites, Fantasie, Preludi e Fughe, Invenzioni e Sinfonie
Pieter-Jan Belder, clavicembalo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Utrecht, 1999



VOLUME III
(30 CD)

CANTATE SACRE - I
Ruth Holton e Marjon Strijk, soprani
Sytse Buwalda, controtenore
Nico van der Meel, Knut Schoch, Marcel Beekman, tenori
Bas Ramselaar, basso
Holland Boys Choir - Netherlands Bach Collegium - Direzione Pieter Jan Leusink
Luogo e data di registrazione Grote Kerk Elburg (Olanda), 1999/2000

Produzione originale Brilliant Classics


VOLUME IV
(30 CD)

CANTATE SACRE II
Ruth Holton e Marjon Strijk, soprani
Sytse Buwalda, controtenore
Nico van der Meel, Knut Schoch, Marcel Beekman, tenori
Bas Ramselaar, basso
Holland Boys Choir - Netherlands Bach Collegium - Direzione Pieter Jan Leusink
Luogo e data di registrazione Grote Kerk Elburg (Olanda), 1999/2000

Produzione originale Brilliant Classics


VOLUME V
MUSICA VOCALE

CD 1 e 2 - Messa in si minore BWV 232
Catherine Dubosc, soprano I - Catherine Denley, soprano II – James Bowman, controtenore – John
Mark Ainsley, tenore – Michael George, basso
The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra - Direzione Harry Christophers
Luogo e data di registrazione: Londra, 1994

CD 3 e 4 – 4 Messe
Renate Krahmer, soprano – Annelies Burmeister, contralto – Peter Schreier, tenore – Theo Adam,
basso – Dresdner Kreuzchor
Dresdner Philharmonie - Direzione Martin Flämig
Luogo e data di registrazione : Dresda, 1972

CD 5 e 6 - Lieder spirituali
Georg Jelden, baritono
Heinz Schnauffer, organo
Luogo e data di registrazione: Monaco, 1974

CD 7 – Mottetti
Ensemble Vocale di Losanna - Direzione: Michel Corboz
Luogo e data di registrazione: Cevins (Svizzera), 1995

CD 8 - Oratorio di Pasqua BWV 249
Christine Brenk, soprano - Anne Greiling, contralto - Frank Bossert, tenore - Thomas Pfeiffer, basso - Ensemble di trombe Pfeiffer - Coro Motets de Pforzheim
Orchestra da Camera di Pforzheim - Direzione Professor Rolf Schweizer
Luogo e data di registrazione: Pforzheim (Germania), 1999

Da CD 9 a CD 16 – Cantate profane
Edith Mathis e Arleen Auger, soprani
Carolyn Watkinson, Julia Hamari e Astrid Pilzecker, contralti
Peter Schreier e Eberhard Büchner, tenori
Siegfried Lorenz e Theo Adam, bassi
Solisti di Berlino
Orchestra da Camera di Berlino - Direzione Peter Schreier
Su licenza di Edel Classics
Data di registrazione: tra il 1978 e il 1985

CD 17, 18 e 19 – Passione secondo Matteo BWV 244
Rogers Covey-Trump, tenore (Evangelista) - Michael George, basso (Gesù) - Emma Kirkby, soprano - Michael Chance, controtenore - Martyn Hill, tenore - David Thomas, basso
The Choir of King's College, Cambridge - The Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge
The Brandeburg Consort - Direzione Stephen Cleobury
Luogo e data di registrazione : Cappella del King’s College di Cambridge, 1994

CD 20 e 21 – Passione secondo Giovanni BWV 245
John Mark Ainsley, tenore (Evangelista) - Stephen Richardson, basso (Gesù), Catherine Bott,soprano - Michael Chance, contralto - Paul Agnew, tenore - Stephen Varcoe, basso - The Choir of King's College, Cambridge
The Brandeburg Consort - Direzione Stephen Cleobury
Luogo e data di registrazione : Cappella del King’s College di Cambridge, 1996

CD 22 e 23 – Passione secondo S.Marco BWV 247

CD 24 e 25 – Passione secondo S.Luca BWV 246

CD 26, 27 e 28 – Oratorio di Natale BWV 248
Lynda Russell, soprano – Catherine Wyn-Rogers, contralto – Mark Padmore, tenore – Michael George, basso
The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra - Direzione Harry Christophers

CD 29 – Oratorio dell’Ascensione BWV 11
Marjon Strijk, soprano – Sytse Buwalda, contralto – Knut Schoch, tenore – Bas Ramselaar, basse - Holland Boys Chor – Netherlands Bach Collegium - Direzione Pieter Jan Leusink

CD 30 - Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden BWV 1083 e Mottetti
Marjon Strijk, soprano – Sytse Buwalda, contralto - Holland Boys Chor – Netherlands Bach Collegium - Direzione Pieter Jan Leusink

CD 31 - Magnificat BWV 243 e Corali
Lynda Russell, soprano I – Gillian Fisher, soprano II – Alison Browner, contralto – Caroline Trevor, contralto – Ian Partridge, tenore – Michael George, basso
The Sixteen Choir & Orchestra - Direzione Harry Christophers
Chamber Choir Of Europe – Solistes du Freiburger Barockorchester - Direzione Nicol Matt

Da CD 32 a CD 37 – Corali
Chamber Choir Of Europe - Solistes du Freiburger Barockorchester - Direzione Nicol Matt
Data di registrazione: 1999



VOLUME VI
MUSICA PER ORGANO

CD 1 - BWV 651 - 661
CD 2 - BWV 645 - 650, 662 - 668
CD 3 - BWV 531, 532, 592, 730, 731, 733, 653b, 736, 737, 589, 588, 735
CD 4 - BWV 551, 535, 766, 525, 542, 690, 691, 131a
CD 5 - BWV 599 - 633
CD 6 - BWV 635 - 644, 561, 585, 553 - 560
CD 7 - BWV 536, 539, 705, 576, 563, 593, 587, 590, 696 - 704, 694, 695
CD 8 - BWV 767, 700, 702, 706, 707, 709, 710, 526, 541, 586, 564
CD 9 - BWV 1090 - 1107, 567, 569, 549, 570, 571, 594
CD 10 - BWV 1108 - 1120, 533, 550, 527, 582
CD 11 - BWV 562, 713, 575, 768, 537, 528, 544
CD 12 - BWV 565, 594, 579, 718, 1027a, 548
CD 13 - BWV 568, 943, 729, 545, 572, 597, 540
CD 14 - BWV 547, 595, 574, 577, 578, 583, 538
CD 15 - BWV 669 - 685
CD 16 - BWV 686 - 689, 802 - 805, 596, 529, 566
CD 17 - BWV 534, 543, 546, 770, 530, 580
Hans Fagius, organi (organo baroque della Chiesa Kristine di Falun - Organo Cahman del 1728 di Leufsta Bruk - Orguano Mats Arvidsson della chiesa Mariefred - Orguano Nils-Olof Berg della Chiesa della Missione di Uppsala – Organo Wahlberg del 1764 della Chiesa Fredrik di Karlskrona)
Date di registrazione: 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989