I last looked at a version of exactly this programme on a Pentatone
release with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra (see
review). It also arrives on a shelf which has recently been
occupied by the Nemtanu sisters in their recording for Naïve (see
review). Vesko Eschkenazy on Pentatone is very nice, but more
romantically inclined than many these days. The Nemtanu sisters are a
delight, as is Julia Fischer on Decca (see
review). There are so many recordings of these works
around now, both ‘classic’ and new, that it would be the easiest thing to
ask ‘why more?’ and avoid new releases like the plague. That, in this
instance, would be a real injustice. I wasn’t really expecting to learn new
things through this recording, but have to admit to being deeply
impressed.
Concerto Copenhagen is set up to provide a punchy accompaniment, as much
light as superbly accented and with a lovely deep bass, spicy bassoon and
crisp harpsichord all adding to energetic but well phrased strings. Soloist
Fredrik From plays with tremendous expression through dynamics and a cleanly
detailed sense of line within authentic – largely vibrato-less playing.
These performances bring out Vivaldi/Corelli Italianate qualities in these
concertos which you might not have noticed elsewhere. The bassoon has the
effect of pointing out the lively activity going on in the lower lines, a
feature with melodic strengths all too often neglected. Even if, like me,
you have heard these pieces dozens of times before, you will be made to stop
and pay attention as if they were new pieces. Those developmental passages
of counterpoint for instance 2:15 into the first movement of
BWV
1042, painted with watercolour transparency but emerging as if from one
of Bach’s religious cantatas rather than a secular concerto. There are
plenty of moments like this which made me listen anew, and when returning
for more remain a pleasure and an inspiration.
The same goes for the
Concerto for two violins in D minor BWV
1043. This is a big favourite for many Bach fans, and once again there
are just too many alternative recordings to name. It’s easy enough to become
wrapped up in any particular performance and extol its virtues based as much
on the music and the moment rather than the specific nature of a
performance, but this
is a very good one. Peter Spissky and Bjarte
Eike make a good team, though there are a couple of moments in the opening
Vivace where the notes are less well defined than is ideal. This is
a minor point however, and the second movement
Largo ma non tanto
moves along nicely without lingering too lovingly over the expressive
sustained notes. You will have to be a fan of vibrato-less violin here as
well, but to my ears this performance, with its balance between confiding
conversation and subtly ornamented stage-presence projection, has much to
commend it.
The
Concerto for violin and oboe BWV 1060 is distinctive in the
sound of Antoine Torunczyk’s baroque oboe, which has a more vocal ‘quack’
than a modern instrument. Manfredo Kraemer’s violin is if anything too
self-effacing a counterfoil to the oboe, though his vibrato is an
interesting contrast to the previous concertos, and both soloists are equal
to the task of receding into the orchestral texture and rising above it as
the music demands. Listening through my most expensive headphones it sounds
as if the oboe soloist is more distant than the strings of the accompanying
ensemble. There are a couple of quirky rhythmic ‘lifts’ which point out the
calling nature of the oboe in the first movement, and the bassoon is once
again a great asset in the final
Allegro, though the central
Adagio is arguably a little to swift and perfunctory for my
taste.
These are performances with an emphasis more on rhythm than lyricism,
while still providing cleanly expressive lines and satisfying contrasts of
atmosphere between movements. I love Concerto Copenhagen’s sonorities, and
the recording is very fine indeed. If you are on the lookout for ‘authentic’
Bach violin concertos then this will be well worth considering.
Dominy Clements
