Some casual listeners may be able derive a modicum of enjoyment from this Resonance collection of
J.S. Bach's best-known works. But because the selections are of unequal interest, the performances are of mixed quality, and the reproduction is somewhat less than ideal, it takes a lot of effort to like this disc, one of several problematic offerings in the Sanctuary Classics Best Of series. The performances by Vassil Kazandjiev and the
Sofia Soloists Chamber Ensemble of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, the Air on the G String, and the Concerto for Two Violins in D minor are perhaps the best of the program, with sufficient feeling and adequate sound to be interesting for at least one hearing. But everything else here is open to criticism: whether one singles out the overly romanticized piano versions of the chorale preludes, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and Sleepers, Awake; the inclusion of the Toccata -- without its companion Fugue -- in D minor; and the overly boosted and unpleasant-sounding performances of the Harpsichord Concerto No. 5 in F minor and the Concerto for flute, violin, and harpsichord in A minor by the Munich Pro Arte Orchestra, the odd choices make one wonder who was responsible for this uneven and unsatisfying compilation. While this album has its decent moments, it really is not the best compilation of
Bach's work available, and it should be treated only as an indifferent sampler that leads to better things.