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Reviews: Bach: Solo & Double Violin Concertos - Podger/Manze

Reviews: 4

Review by stvnharr July 18, 2004 (4 of 4 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I had this disc in my cd collection for years, or since shortly after it was released some years ago. Now I have it in sacd. I always liked the playing and the music. In sacd it all sounds better. This is certainly a worthy sacd to have in one's collection. Highly recommended.
Certainly would be nice if Harmonia Mundi would redo some of Manze's other discs into sacd. They are all quite good.

I have had the Hilary Hahn sacd of these same concertos for some time. I find the main difference between the two is the difference in sound between modern instruments and baroque instruments. Of course there is also the oboe in the BWV1060 Concerto, rather than a second violin. Though I prefer the baroque sound and Manze's playing, there's still a lot to like in the Hahn disc.

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Review by nickc October 24, 2004 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Somewhat less precipitate than Ms Hahn's recent Bach disc, I suppose you could call this a "safe" (not in any pejorative sense!) period option for these inexhaustible pieces. I too prefer the sound of a period ensemble in these works. Andrew Manze's playing is, as always, a delight.
Unfortunately I am not as enamoured of the sound of this disc as of the playing. This is a remix (I assume since it was recorded in 1996) of a stereo title and just doesn't seem to totally take you back to the hall as MC can. The violin soloists are balanced a tad closely for my tastes and the bass can seem to boom at some points.
These are fairly minor points but when you compare this with the recent Channel Classics Vivaldi "La Stravaganza" disc, the Channel disc just blows you away!
Anyway the works and playing are so enjoyable I can recommend this disc.

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Review by brenda October 28, 2004 (7 of 7 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
I am inclined to agree with Nick C about the sound of this disc.

Whearas the performances are fine, the recording makes the soloists sound quite wiry and very glassy and abrasive. This detracts from the enjoyment you can take in the performances.

I found the sound thin and tiring, with none of the bloom of my favourite SACDs. I find it hard to believe that this was originally recorded in surround.

I suspect that this will go onto ebay.

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Review by ~~Phil~~ December 9, 2004 (3 of 3 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
A good performance - Although not really that inspired - I love these Bach concertos, but this sacd is a little off the mark, sound quality is a little less than what I have come to expect from current major SACD releases - I feel you would do better listening to the old Philips cd recording of Salvatore Accardo & The Chamber Orch. of Europe...a great performance - a great recording - even for a mid 80's release. I definetley will buy more music in the future from Rachel Podger & Andrew Manze...I think they are both wonderfully talented with much more to come...This release just missed the mark a bit.

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