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Need some help with Brandenburgs

Not so long ago, we got a new amp and I suddenly realized how bad my Brandenburg concertos sounded, so they are gone. I do have them on CDs, but it's not the same - I need records.

So I need help, the number of recordings of the Brandenburgs is overwhelming. I saw a recommendation for Trevor Pinnock with the European Brandenburg Ensemble, can anyone second this? Or give other recommendations? Benjamin Britten? It looks as if Yehudi Menuhin spent a large part of his career recording them, which seems obsessive.

Any help will be appreciated!

notify
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,497 posts
 

The Decca London recordings FFrr (Full Frequency range recordings) should not break the bank and sound very good indeed. CSA.2225 "BRITTEN CONDUCTS BACH'S BRANDENBURG CONCERTOS ENGLISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA"

 

 

Matt M

mahler123
3,319 posts
 

Oh, I just realized the OP wanted vinyl.  The Leonhardt set and Karl Ristenpart on Nonesuch were my recordings until I didn’t have to extract music from slabs of fossil fuel.  The Ristenpart was sadly never (?) digitalized, but the Leonhardt was resides on my phone

notify OP
4 posts
 

Ok, great, I was thinking I should go with Pinnock, so you (mostly) have confirmed that for me.

Thank you

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 

@notify: If you like Pinnock’s Brandenburgs, look for his recordings of Handel, Rameau, and Scarlatti on the UK label CRD. Great performances, excellent recorded sound quality (the harpsichord is in your room!) and LP pressings.

dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum
1,404 posts
 

You may want to decide first whether you want a recording featuring modern or original instruments. Since you mention Pinnock perhaps the latter is preferred. In that case I’d recommend the Smithsonian Institution’s box set featuring Albert Fuller leading Aston Magna. Beautiful analogue recording and widely available at your local used record shop for $5-6. 

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