The Six Brandenburg Concertos of
J.S. Bach are easily among his most commonly performed and instantly recognizable compositions. As such, they have been recorded countless times by everything from modern, full-sized orchestras to Baroque period ensembles and everything in between. While there are some heavy hitters in this latter category, there are still other small, period-instrument ensembles that provide worthwhile performances without gaining their fair share of the limelight. Such is the case with the Dutch ensemble
Musica Amphion, founded and led by
Pieter-Jan Belder. This Brilliant Classics disc featuring the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Brandenburg Concertos has been reissued many times and with good reason.
Musica Amphion's performances are nicely refined, historically informed, and technically proficient.
Belder's tempo selection tends toward the conservative end of the spectrum, especially when compared to the brisk pace popularized by the likes of
Giuliano Carmignola, but still maintains a nice sense of energy and drive. Sound quality in the Fourth and Fifth concertos is clear, well-balanced, and spacious. The Sixth Concerto, which is scored without violins, suffers from a bit of muddiness and distance. Still, the integrity in the playing and attention to details in the score make this disc worth checking out.