Johann Sebastian Bach: The Complete Works (172 CD box set, APE)

Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 172 CD boxset
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Hanssler Classics
Size: 50.2 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Volume 01 – Cantatas nr. 01 [4CD]
Volume 02 – Cantatas nr. 02 [4CD]
Volume 03 – Cantatas nr. 03 [4CD]
Volume 04 – Cantatas nr. 04 [4CD]
Volume 05 – Cantatas nr. 05 [4CD]
Volume 06 – Cantatas nr. 06 [4CD]
Volume 07 – Cantatas nr. 07 [4CD]
Volume 08 – Cantatas nr. 08 [4CD]
Volume 09 – Cantatas nr. 09 [4CD]
Volume 10 – Cantatas nr. 10 [4CD]
Volume 11 – Cantatas nr. 11 [4CD]
Volume 12 – Cantatas nr. 12 [4CD]
Volume 13 – Cantatas nr. 13 [4CD]
Volume 14 – Cantatas nr. 14 [4CD]
Volume 15 – Cantatas nr. 15 [4CD]
Volume 16 – Secular Cantatas [4CD]
Volume 17 – Secular Cantatas [4CD]
Volume 18 – Cantatas & Motets [4CD]
Volume 19 – H-Moll-Messe, Sacred Music in Latin [4CD]
Volume 20 – Christmas Oratorio, Choralbuch [4CD]
Volume 21 – Matthäus-Passion, Choralbuch [4CD]
Volume 22 – Johannes-Passion, Oster & Himmelsfahrts Oratorio [4CD]
Volume 23 – Magnificat, Choralbuch [4CD]
Volume 24 – Ein Choralbuch [4CD]
Volume 25 – Organ Chorales & Ohrdruf, Lüneburg, Arnstadt [4CD]
Volume 26 – Organ works nr. 01 [4CD]
Volume 27 – Organ works nr. 02 [4CD]
Volume 28 – Organ works nr. 03 [4CD]
Volume 29 – Organ works nr. 04 [4CD]
Volume 30 – Harpsichord – Cembalo [4CD]
Volume 31 – Piano (Evgeni Koroliov) [4CD]
Volume 32 – Keyboard works [4CD]
Volume 33 – Das Wohltemperierte Klavier [4CD]
Volume 34 – English & French Suites [4CD]
Volume 35 – Klavierbüchlein [4CD]
Volume 36 – Keyboard works [4CD]
Volume 37 – Cembalo Partitas, Die Kunst der Fuge [4CD]
Volume 38 – Brandenburg Concertos, Orchestersuiten [4CD]
Volume 39 – Works for Violin [4CD]
Volume 40 – Cembalo Concertos [4CD]
Volume 41 – Chello solo, Violin solo [4CD]
Volume 42 – Lute, Flute, Viola da Gamba & Cembalo [4CD]
Volume 43 – Oboe, Musik Offer, Canons, Klavier [3CD]

A Major Accomplishment!

Here it is…every surviving work attributed to the extremely prolific J.S. Bach. I’ve lived with these recordings for over a year now and will likely spend the rest of my life (and beyond, God willing) getting joy and pleasure from them. For a project of this magnitude the quality is at a consistantly high level. Of course, Helmuth Rilling’s Cantatas and orchestral works have been getting high praise for some time now, and several of his other recordings (the Magnificat, the Motets, the B Minor Mass, and the Passions) get frequent mention on critical “Want Lists.” Other highlights include Robert Levin’s “Well Tempered Clavier” played on a multitude of keyboard instruments (organ, various harpsichords, clavichord, and forte-piano) making a rich aural treat from this sometimes austere music, eight volumes dedicated to hymns and chorales that are not connected to (existing) larger works which contain some of Bach’s most heart-felt music (imagine the “complete” Orgel-Buchlein, but with words) and some rarely heard but fasinating early harpsichord pieces played with style and flair by Robert Hill. My only complaint is that some of the organ recordings tend towards the slow and weighty side (and could sometimes use more timbral variety). But overall I love this set and I’m not sorry I put off getting the new car and vacation to purchase it!