75. Johann Sebastian Bach - Violin Concertos (1717-1723)

Recording

Title: Violin Concertos
Performers: Simon Standage (Violin), Collegium Musicum 90
Year: 1996
Length: 30 minutes

Review

I should note that by violin concertos it is only meant BWV 1041 and 1042, so concertos for solo violin, the also famous concerto for two violins will be coming up next on the list.

Bach, particularly when he is not attached to the Organ is capable of the most attractive music you can think of. And although he wasn't as prolific a composer for strings as for other instruments, it is definitely where I feel that Bach shines brightest.

These concerts are evidence of that, Bach creates two little masterpieces, which are very influenced by Vivaldi but with their own identity and an emotional maturity that is not as apparent in the happy go lucky Vivaldi.

This performance is not as vivacious as the ones I am more used to, for the violin concertos, but it is definitely more intimate, so you have to choose pomp or intimacy. If you go for intimacy go for this recording, definitely.

The concerts here have the format that they will have for a long time in the future, fast-slow-fast, and even though the violin still does not have a proper dialogue with the orchestra which is there to support it, the sound of the concertos is more modern than even Vivaldi who was the great inspiration for Bach. Great.


Final Grade

9/10

Trivia

From Wikipedia:

J.S. Bach’s works are indexed with BWV numbers, an initialism for Bach Werke Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue). The catalogue, published in 1950, was compiled by Wolfgang Schmieder. The catalogue is organised thematically, rather than chronologically: BWV 1–224 are cantatas, BWV 225–249 the large-scale choral works, BWV 250–524 chorales and sacred songs, BWV 525–748 organ works, BWV 772–994 other keyboard works, BWV 995–1000 lute music, BWV 1001–40 chamber music, BWV 1041–71 orchestral music, and BWV 1072–1126 canons and fugues. In compiling the catalogue, Schmieder largely followed the Bach Gesellschaft Ausgabe, a comprehensive edition of the composer's works that was produced between 1850 and 1905.