Müller-Brühl: Bach – Oboe Concertos (APE)

Performer: Christian Hommel, Lisa Stewart
Orchestra: Cologne Chamber Orchestra
Conductor: Helmut Müller-Brühl
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (tracks+cue)
Label: Naxos
Size: 312 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

01. Oboe d’amore Concerto in A major, BWV 1055: I. Allegro
02. Oboe d’amore Concerto in A major, BWV 1055: II. Larghetto
03. Oboe d’amore Concerto in A major, BWV 1055: III. Allegro ma non tanto
04. Oboe Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056: I. Allegro
05. Oboe Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056: II. Largo
06. Oboe Concerto in G minor, BWV 1056: III. Presto
07. Oboe Concerto in D minor, BWV 1059: I. Allegro
08. Oboe Concerto in D minor, BWV 1059: II. Adagio (Alessandro Marcello)
09. Oboe Concerto in D minor, BWV 1059: III. Presto
10. Oboe d’amore Concerto in D major, BWV 1053: I. Allegro
11. Oboe d’amore Concerto in D major, BWV 1053: II. Siciliano
12. Oboe d’amore Concerto in D major, BWV 1053: III. Allegro
13. Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060: I. Allegro
14. Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060: II. Adagio
15. Concerto for Oboe and Violin in C minor, BWV 1060: III. Allegro

Oboe Concertos that sound like bliss

This is some exquisite music from the original Baroque mastermind himself. These oboe concertos are simple yet gloriously beautiful. It’s the type of classical music that you would listen to when it’s raining (or snowing) outside. I’d almost label these as “winter classics,” seeing is how the music reminds me of a winter landscape: snow falling on the countryside, or a suburban neighborhood caught in a rainstorm.

Everyone involved in these recordings have done an outstanding job. Even Naxos in its early years is able to provide some very good sound quality. Christian Hommel, the soloist, gives a fantastic performance from beginning to end. It is clear that he enjoys the music just as well as the listener would. Lisa Stewart, the solo violinist in the Concerto in C minor, is also a great performer who never shows a vulnerable state when playing every single note. The Cologne Chamber Orchestra is very good with the material that they have to work with. They never miss a beat. And finally, the late Helmut Muller-Bruhl conducts with passion and preciseness. He keeps the music light, but also lively enough for certain occasions.

This CD is a must for those who simply can’t get enough of Bach.