Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Café Zimmermann
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Alpha
Catalogue: ALPHA048
Release: 2004
Size: 341 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major, BWV1048
01. I. Allegro – II. Adagio
02. III. Allegro
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV1043
03. I. Vivace
04. II. Largo ma non tanto
05. III. Allegro
Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C major, BWV1066
06. I. Ouverture
07. II. Courante
08. III. Gavottes I & II
09. IV. Forlane
10. V. Menuets I & II
11. VI. Bourrées I & II
12. VII. Passepieds I & II
Concerto for Oboe & Violin in C minor, BWV1060
13. I. Allegro
14. II. Adagio
15. III. Allegro
The best thing about this release by Café Zimmerman — better than the stupendous performances, better than the glorious sound, better than the brilliant programming, better than the intelligent liner notes, and better even than the gorgeous reproduction of André Bouys’ Servant Polishing the Silver on the cover — is the fact that it’s the second release in a cycle of the complete concertos for diverse instruments by Bach. Led by violinist Pablo Valetti, Café Zimmerman is a lean and lovely period instrument chamber orchestra with impeccable ensemble, amazing virtuosity, incredible sensitivity, and endless nuances of tone and color. Alpha’s sound is closer, more detailed, and more immediate than real performers in a real space in real time. Mixing the dancing Third Brandenburg with the demonic Double Violin Concerto and the monumental C major Overture with the lyrical Oboe and Violin Concerto is wonderfully refreshing for listeners who’ve already heard the works in context of their fellow Brandenburgs or overtures. The liner notes, both on the music and on the cover art, are entertaining and enlightening. And the reproduction of the art itself is fine and clear as any reproduction the size of a CD case possibly could be. This release is as good as recorded music gets in this world, as good, honest, and true as Kind of Blue, Wee Small Hours, or Rubber Soul.