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Track Listings
| 1. Complete Works - Various Performers |
Product Description
Artistes divers
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
50 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By John Ferngrove
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have had my eye on versions of this box for at least a couple of years now, but doubts as to the possible quality of its contents have always obliged me to refrain from making the commitment. After all, given the price of some of the more costly complete Bach boxes out there, how could this box be anything other than ropey old recordings of ropey old performances? Indeed, to some extent, it was actually the unbelievably low price that prevented me from taking the plunge, making it seem just far too good a proposition to be true. This is evidently something that some marketing bod, somewhere, has switched on to lately, because I bought mine at £70, and now, six weeks later, when I come to write a review, it's selling at a more realistic £140. All the same, knowing what I know about the quality of the contents, I would still have no hesitation about paying the asking price, and would still think I was getting the better of the bargain.
The collection is broken up into six colour coded categories; orchestral works, solo keyboard, as performed on harpsichord, two sets of cantatas, other vocal works of assorted scales and then the organ works. For good measure we have performances on DVD of the Matthew and John Passions, and a DVD ROM that includes, amongst other things, the scores in their entirety.
First thing to say is about the recording quality. I have taken ample samples in most categories now, and it is apparent that the recording quality is uniformly excellent throughout. Not just adequate, but excellent, with each performance placed in a suitable location to guarantee a sympathetic acoustic, and then recorded so as to capture its full depth.... Read more ›
The collection is broken up into six colour coded categories; orchestral works, solo keyboard, as performed on harpsichord, two sets of cantatas, other vocal works of assorted scales and then the organ works. For good measure we have performances on DVD of the Matthew and John Passions, and a DVD ROM that includes, amongst other things, the scores in their entirety.
First thing to say is about the recording quality. I have taken ample samples in most categories now, and it is apparent that the recording quality is uniformly excellent throughout. Not just adequate, but excellent, with each performance placed in a suitable location to guarantee a sympathetic acoustic, and then recorded so as to capture its full depth.... Read more ›
64 of 66 people found the following review helpful
By John Adams
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Forty years ago I began buying Bach vocal scores. Kalmus miniature scores, as I wasn't made of money! I guess that I spent about 40 tanks of petrol on them. Forty years later, with older eyes that have a deal of trouble with miniature scores, I come across an offer of ALL of J S Bach's scores in an electronic, zoomable format for just under one tank of petrol! What is more, thrown in with the scores are 157 CDs and 2 DVDs containing performances of (just about) all of Bach's works.
I read some damning-with-faint-praise/sniffy (e.g. "good buy for a novice") reviews of the performances, but went ahead and purchased. I haven't listened and watched (yes, watched, as the two DVDs are videos of the St. Matthew and St. John 1725 version Passions) to all of the discs yet, but enough to say "Yes there are some indisputable faux pas in this set but so there are in the Haenssler and the Teldec sets". IMHO Helen Holton has a relatively weak, boyish, somewhat diction-less voice. If I dare say it - a rather Kathleen Ferrier-ish voice. Of course, for Bach, a boy soprano is not an unreasonable choice - the Teldec version uses boys, after all - although the demands made of the boys is one of the problems with the Teldec set. One can learn to live with Ms. Holton.
The instumentalists are really very good. The pleasure of owning and getting to know the various Complete Works is the way the different players bind together. You realise how good value Bach is as these different bindings come through and teach you something new - and they really do. Another marvellous thing here is that there is not enough ornamentation to drive you to distraction, but just enough novelty to give you real "gosh!" pleasure (Koopman - take note).
The technical side is a bit of a curate's egg.... Read more ›
I read some damning-with-faint-praise/sniffy (e.g. "good buy for a novice") reviews of the performances, but went ahead and purchased. I haven't listened and watched (yes, watched, as the two DVDs are videos of the St. Matthew and St. John 1725 version Passions) to all of the discs yet, but enough to say "Yes there are some indisputable faux pas in this set but so there are in the Haenssler and the Teldec sets". IMHO Helen Holton has a relatively weak, boyish, somewhat diction-less voice. If I dare say it - a rather Kathleen Ferrier-ish voice. Of course, for Bach, a boy soprano is not an unreasonable choice - the Teldec version uses boys, after all - although the demands made of the boys is one of the problems with the Teldec set. One can learn to live with Ms. Holton.
The instumentalists are really very good. The pleasure of owning and getting to know the various Complete Works is the way the different players bind together. You realise how good value Bach is as these different bindings come through and teach you something new - and they really do. Another marvellous thing here is that there is not enough ornamentation to drive you to distraction, but just enough novelty to give you real "gosh!" pleasure (Koopman - take note).
The technical side is a bit of a curate's egg.... Read more ›
38 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By Fen Country
Format:Audio CD
I admit to being at first a little overwhelmed by this set. There are so many wonderful pieces of music contained here that I have never heard before! Like many, I listened when I could to BBC radio 3's broadcast of the complete Bach a couple of years ago but even that did not prepare me for this. The performances of the Cantatas here are very good. I think this is critical because I believe these works represent the core of Bach's writing. The organ works are also very well played and recorded and must compare favourably with any others currently available. I have to admit that I have always preferred Bach keyboard works played on a piano than a harpsichord as they are here and these discs do not alter that. However, the same work does sound completely different on the two instruments (a piano does not have the same percussive effect as a harpsichord) so this is interesting.
The other concertos and orchestral works are really enjoyable with recent performances on period instruments.
Some reviewers have criticised large collections such as this, asking when can you possibly listen to all this music. With Bach (and Mozart) it is not difficult and the more you know the better you appreciate.
As another reviewer has said, these Brilliant sets cost about the same as a tank of petrol but unlike petrol, these will last a lifetime! This set represents incredible value for money.
The other concertos and orchestral works are really enjoyable with recent performances on period instruments.
Some reviewers have criticised large collections such as this, asking when can you possibly listen to all this music. With Bach (and Mozart) it is not difficult and the more you know the better you appreciate.
As another reviewer has said, these Brilliant sets cost about the same as a tank of petrol but unlike petrol, these will last a lifetime! This set represents incredible value for money.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Erik R.
Format:Audio CD
This box met certainly all expectations! First the negative point: it is true that some discs have mediocre quality performances recorded. In my opinion, the Matthew Passion is rather weak due to some soloists, the choir and recording facilities. This is a shame, as it is one of the major Bach works AND there is also a DVD included which is, logically, of the same quality. Having said that, almost everything else is positive: the cantatas are well recorded and directed. Don't expect Gardiner cantatas, these recordings are not always that 'bombastic' if I may say so. Some parts of the cantatas (individual aria's/recitatives/...) are better than others, but this is the case in every collection of cantatas (e.g. Gardiner, Koopman, etc.). The alto may sometimes give problems to be understood well, but that doesn't really annoy me (often). The chamber music part is very nice, a lot of great recordings in there, e.g. the harpsichord concertos. I also like the cello suites played by ter Linden. Keep in mind that the keyboard works are performed on a harpsichord, so if you prefer them played on a (forte)piano you should consider this purchase. Nevertheless, if you buy this box for the cantats only, the price is still in balance. The harpsichord works are generally, from what I heard, nicely performed. Some parts are better than others, but I can't give a final review on this part of the product as I haven't heard enough of them yet. I heard some organ works and they are nice, the sound is very well recorded as well. Of course, everything is a matter of personal taste and expectations. All and all, a very nice price-quality outcome: some recordings are better than others (only few are really low recorded and/or performed), so I would certainly recommend to buy this collection.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Comprehensive set
Have just finished the complete works of Mozart and Corelli and now ready to start on Bach. A comprehensive set beautifully presented
Cannot comment yet on recording... Read more
Cannot comment yet on recording... Read more
Published 7 days ago by Michael Angell
1.0 out of 5 stars
Can't say.
This was bought as a leaving present for our vicar following a collection through the parish. I don't like Bach so haven't even opened it.
Published 29 days ago by rog05j86
3.0 out of 5 stars
The parson's egg collection
The recordings themselves are good, but navigating them and using the supplied media is poor, unless your German is very good -- that is not me. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dr. R. Duke
5.0 out of 5 stars
unbelievable offer
This is an extraordinary collection! 160 disks for £82 including delivery (via a special offer in BBC Radio Times to coincide with the recent Radio 3 Baroque Spring programming). Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daisy W
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bach an Indulgence
A wonderful buy. Enjoying dipping into old favourite. Listening to the many cantatas that I've neglected over the years. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Miss Tee Time
5.0 out of 5 stars
well received present
this was a present for my son who is loves Bach's music. The collection arrived very promptly in perfect condition. Read more
Published 4 months ago by LesleyB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Bach Complete Edition.
Still going Through Set. Alright so far as I can tell. I like the fact the compositions are played on instruments of the time..
Published 4 months ago by PETER JOHN WIGGINS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely wonderful value
I have been given this collection as a (carefully 'steered') gift. At any price it would be a musical goldmine: at Amazon's price, it is astounding value. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Cadenza
5.0 out of 5 stars
I have not regretted buying this in 5 years
I bought an earlier version of this box set in 2006 and was pleasantly surprised at its quality - especially the solo instrument suites. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Stefan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Bach is brill!
Bought this for my husband for xmas, he loves it and we have been exploring all the works we don't know very well. Wonderfully soothing for the January blues!
Published 17 months ago by Dr. Louise A. Westwood
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