This is a really great five-CD set. You get all of Bach's concertos except the Brandenburgs - which is a shame because Pinnock's Brandenburgs are terrific. Nonetheless, this remains an absolutely cracking collection of some of Bach's most enjoyable music in excellent performances.
In the Harpsichord Concertos Pinnock is himself the soloist and shows why he is such a very well-liked and highly regarded musician. The music springs to life under his fingers (and under his direction) and many of these performances set new and enduring standards when first released in the early 1980s. They have informed much subsequent Bach playing and have worn extremely well themselves, sounding as fresh and involving as they did nearly 30 years ago. He is joined by other fine harpsichordists in the concerti for two, three and four harpsichords, (Kenneth Gilbert, Nicholas Kraemer and Lars Ulrich Mortensen) and the Concerto for Four Harpsichords in particular is an absolute joy.
The other concerti here are just as good. Simon Standage's playing of the violin concertos is excellent, and he is joined by Elizabeth Wilcock in a truly memorable Double Violin concerto. David Reichenberg is brilliant in both the lovely Oboe d'Amore Concerto and in the Concerto for Oboe and Violin with Standage. In fact, all the soloists give absolutely top-class performances and the players of The English Consort form an ideal ensemble in support.
With excellent recording quality and informative notes, this makes a set to last a lifetime. Even if you already own performances of some or all of these works I'd strongly recommend this box - there is a wealth of insight and pleasure in it. In short, it's a gem.