Outstanding, but... | Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon | Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Albinoni, ... ...

Superb performances by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra | Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon | Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Albinoni, ...

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	• Albinoni: Adagio; Pachelbel: Canon Johann Pachelbel, Tomaso Albinoni, ... Deutsche Grammophon, 1991 average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
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MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE CLASSICAL CD (SO FAR)

I originally bought this CD for Bach's "Air" and "Jesu, joy of man's desiring" - but EVERY track on this CD is some of the most beautiful music I've ever heard, expertly played with passion. A must-have for chamber music fans.

Outstanding, but...

Most of the best tracks on this disc are also available on Deutsche Gramophon's "Mad about Baroque" disc, which sells for almost 1/3 the price. The Mad About disc has been filled up with the maximum amount of music, has most of the tracks on this disc as well as significant portions of also excellent discs by Trevor Pinnock and the English Concert. Needless to say, the performances by Orpheus and English are insurpassable.

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Superb performances by Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

I have found that the performance style of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (OCO) typically coincides exactly with my personal preferences; it is certainly the case with this compilation. Specifically, I feel that OCO strives diligently to provide the emotional experience that the composer intended when the piece was written. One of my favorite pieces in the classical repertoire is track 3 - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and I have heard at least a dozen professional performances of it, both live and recorded. Most orchestras perform it with a very slow tempo, and give the piece an almost depressing mood. In contrast, the OCO presentation has a fairly quick pace and uplifting character, which I believe represents the original intent for the cantata. I found each of the other tracks similarly true to what I perceive as the composer's intent.

The technical quality of the recording is about 9 of 10, very crisp and clear, well miked, but perhaps just a slight bit less of that sense of air and of the performance venue than the very finest recording have. Certainly, nothing whatsoever to object to, however.

The short version is, I love this CD, and bought a spare in case my first copy should ever get damaged. Very highly recommended!

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A nice disc . . .

I have always enjoyed the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (OCO). I own their recording of Handel's Concerti Grossi, Op 6 (Deutsche Grammophon, 3-disc set) and their recording of Vivaldi/Boccherini's cello concertos (DG, now out-of-print), to name but a few. I love their interpretation of the compositions they play/record, and this disc is no exception.

OCO tackles the obligatory Baroque compositons on this DG release (Pachelbel's 'Canon,' Albinoni's 'Adagio,' J. S. Bach's 'Air,' Corelli's 'Christmas Concerto,' etc.) with their typical virtuosity and grace. Their playing is once again exceptional, and the sound quality up to DG's high standards.

My only qualm is with the disc's price. ... it's pretty steep, especially considering the number of cd's currently available that offer practically the same (but not identical) selections at two-thirds of the cost (most of which are DDD, too). Some equally engaging recordings, for example, include I Musici's 1983 release on Philips (hopefully still in print), Karajan's 1972 release on DG (a pretty good ADD disc), and Polydor's 'Cannon and Gigue' (a 1982 DDD release, hopefully still in print). There are more, of course.

Granted, none will sound exactly like this disc (OCO certainly has a unique sound all its own). And again, the performance of each piece on this disc is wonderful. So if you don't mind paying full price, then I recommend that you buy this disc. Otherwise, you can still find a number of Baroque compilation discs out there that are reasonably priced.

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Tracks
Canon In D Major For Strings And basso continuo | Adagio In G Minor For Strings And Organ | Cantata No. 147: 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring' | Chacony In G Minor For Strings And basso continuo | Orchestral Suite No. 3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air | Concerto In G Minor ('Christmas Concerto') Op. 6 No. 8: I Vivace-Grave | Concerto In G Minor ('Christmas Concerto') Op. 6 No. 8: II Allegro | Concerto In G Minor ('Christmas Concerto') Op. 6 No. 8: III Adagio - Allegro - Adagio | Concerto In G Minor ('Christmas Concerto') Op. 6 No. 8: IV Vivace | Concerto In G Minor ('Christmas Concerto') Op. 6 No. 8: V Allegro-Pastorale. Largo | 'The Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba' Sinfonia In B Flat Major: Allegro | Serse (Xerxes), Act I: Largo | 'LL'estro armonico' RV 580 Concerto For 4 Violins In B minor Op.3 No.10: I Allegro | 'L'estro armonico' RV 580 Concerto For 4 Violins In B minor Op.3 No.10: II Largo | 'L'estro armonico' RV 580 Concerto For 4 Violins In B minor Op.3 No.10: III Allegro

recommendations

The Baroque Era - Besides Bach and Handel