Bach, J S: Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066

Bach’s glorious Orchestral Suites are performed by the extremely talented Reykjavik Chamber Orchestra under the artistic direction of Reinhard Goebel, a name so strongly connected to the Deutsche Grammophon label for so many years.

The most successful of Baroque composers were highly sensitive to the prevailing musical fashions of their day, effortlessly moving from style to style to satisfy listeners, performers and patrons. In his four orchestral suites, Bach turned his hand to one of the two main musical genres in 18th-century Europe -- the suite, the French counterpart to the Italian Concerto.

Beyond mere commercial awareness, however, Bach's suites convey a deep understanding of musical character and instrumental colour. An abundance of different moods and forms are explored: in addition to the grand French overtures that open each suite, the traditional dance movements that follow display great variety, with the Gavotte, Bourrée, Sarabande, Menuet and the more unusual Polonaise and Forlane all making an appearance. Bach's rich and varied approach to orchestration also comes to the fore, contributing to each work's individual charm: Suite No.2, for instance, is characterised by its prominent and often virtuosic solo flute part, while Nos. 3 and 4 owe their festive mood to the three trumpets and timpani.

Although Bach wrote just four works in this genre, his contributions reveal the full extent of his compositional skill, and are an essential part of his oeuvre. Here, they are performed by the Consort of London, an ensemble who have received much critical praise for their interpretations of Bach's music.

Other information:

- One of the few complete recordings of the 4 orchestral suites on one CD.

- The performances by The Consort of London, conducted by Robert Haydon Clark, combine the security and brilliance of modern instruments, while adhering to the principles of the Historically Informed Performance Practice. Excellent recordings from the London Henry Wood Hall.

- Recorded in 1990 in Henry Wood Hall, London.

- Includes comprehensive booklet notes by Clemens Romijn.

Continuing the Premium Composers series, Rilling brings his renowned expertise to Bach’s Orchestral Suites. These recordings are an ideal way to fill in gaps in your collection or to experience for the first time, spectacular recordings which you may have missed.

In its explorations of Bach in all its forms, Fuga Libera was waiting for the rare bird capable of provoking reflection on the genius of the Cantor on the basis of the marimba, this extraordinary instrument, which would no doubt have fascinated him.

Showing the same ease with 18th century timpani as in his position as percussionist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Koen Plaetinck has seduced numerous specialists of ancient music, amongst whom Sigiswald Kuijken and Philippe Herreweghe.

Here is the marimba at its highest level, at the service of Bach, in a series of unusual and all utterly convincing transcriptions.

Bach’s Suites, also referred to as Ouvertures, have been the subject of a lot of recent research and the work of the famous American musicologist and musician Joshua Rifkin didn’t escape Paul Dombrecht, the heart and soul of Il Fondamento. After Fasch, Telemann, Arriaga and Albinoni, the magnificent Flemish ensemble returns with the complete orchestral suites in which the smoothness, technique and taste of its musicians - one per part - serve a crystalline transparency.

Dombrecht’s incomparable naturalness invites us to enjoy one hundred minutes of musical delight.

This release celebrates the 25th anniversary of Concerto Köln in November of this year. For the past 25 years this ensemble has been a veritable breath of fresh air for “early music”, blowing away the cobwebs and restoring its former shine. What better way to celebrate their anniversary than with this grand Baroque project? The music is given a new lease of life through their dynamic and agile approach.

Ensemble Sonnerie, under the direction of Monica Huggett, returns to AVIE Records with a new musical view on the Orchestral Suites by J.S.Bach, The recording includes a reconstruction of the ever-popular Second Suite by the leading oboist in the period instrument field, Gonzalo X. Ruiz. A Premiere Recording.