Bach: Sinfonias, Bach (Carl Philipp Emanuel) & Vivaldi: 4 Oboe Concertos - Holliger, Leppard
PentaTone RQR PTC 5186 128
Stereo/Multichannel Hybrid
Classical
J.S. Bach: Sinfonias from Cantatas BWV 12 & 21, C.P.E. Bach: Oboe Concerto in B flat, Oboe Concerto in E flat, Vivaldi: Concerto for Oboe and Strings in B flat, Op. 7 No. 1 RV 465, Concerto for Oboe & Strings in B flat Op. 7 No. 7 RV 464
Heinz Holliger (oboe)
English Chamber Orchestra
Raymond Leppard (conductor)
I Musici
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- Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Oboe Concerto in B flat major, H. 466
- Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach: Oboe Concerto in E flat major, H. 468
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis - Cantata, BWV 21
- Johann Sebastian Bach: Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen - Cantata, BWV 12
- Antonio Vivaldi: Oboe Concerto in B flat major, RV 464 (Op. 7 No. 7)
- Antonio Vivaldi: Oboe Concerto in B flat major, RV 465 (Op. 7 No. 1)
Review by John Broggio - November 19, 2008
Prefacing the two concertos by CPE Bach are sinfonia's from JS Bach that make up the parts of the disc that are new to SACD.
In all the works, Holliger's playing is peerless (for the modern oboe) yet the accompaniment he receives from the English Chamber Orchestra under Raymond Leppard is a far cry from what even the most ardent modern instrument enthusiasts would expect to find in the concert hall today. This is a great shame for the tragic and eloquence imbued sinfonia's to "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen" and "Ich hatte viel Bekummernis" respectively are very tenderly turned out. The style galant of the younger Bach receives a rather clumping orchestral response that does it's best to smother the life out of the music and Holliger's highly musical response.
To finish, the disc concludes with two concerto's (the same performances as Bellini, Molique, Moscheles, Rietz, Vivaldi - Holliger/Nicolet in fact) that purport to come from Vivaldi's pen, though as the notes point out, they sound very different from the usual Vivaldi style. Despite the uncertain origin, Holliger & I Musici play the music with as much dedication as it if were from the master himself, although it must be said that the string sound is a little plush for those accustomed to HIP in the tutti sections.
The sound has been remarkably well preserved and there is a nice, natural balance to the recording.
The best items on the disc are the pair of "Vivaldi" concertos and the coupling on Bellini, Molique, Moscheles, Rietz, Vivaldi - Holliger/Nicolet are more satisfying as performances and illustrates that there are better examples of Holliger's art preserved on disc.
Copyright © 2008 John Broggio and HRAudio.net
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