Christine Schornsheim, Pieter-Jan Belder - J.S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos (2012)

If you’re looking for an acceptable, low-cost cycle of Bach’s harpsichord concertos, this Brilliant Classics set may be of interest. Discs 1 and 2 contain all of the concertos for solo harpsichord and continuo, as well as the Concerto BWV 1060 for two harpsichords and Concerto BWV 1065 for four harpsichords, performed by the modern-instrument ensemble Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum, with soloist Christine Schornsheim, joined by fellow harpsichordists Armin Thalheim, Mechtild Stark, and Violetta Liebsch in the multiple keyboard works. These performances were originally issued in the U.S. nearly 25 years ago on the now defunct Capriccio label.

The momentum of the opening movement of the Concerto in E, BWV 1053 is a little shaky at times, and the first-movement Allegro of the Concerto in C minor BWV 1060 is inordinately sluggish, but otherwise these are fine, moderately paced performances that have stood up well over time. The early digital sound is a little congested, most notably in the lower strings, and Schornsheim’s instrument is placed somewhat forward in the mix in the solo concertos, but neither of these presents an obstacle to serious listening.

The third disc compiles the remainder of the concertos for multiple harpsichords performed by the period-instrument ensemble Musica Amphion, featuring its harpsichordist/director Pieter-Jan Belder, joined by harpsichordists Menno van Delft and Siebe Henstra. Belder and Musica Amphion’s tempos and articulation are slightly more varied and diverse than heard in the NBCM performances, though the instrumental sound is noticeably crisper and more well-defined. Of course much of this has to do with the difference in sound between modern and period-instrument ensembles, though advancements in digital technology likely deserves most of the credit here. Not bad. – John Greene

Track List:

CD 1:
01. Harpsichord Concerto in d-moll, BWV 1052 - I. Allegro [0:07:48.13]
02. Harpsichord Concerto in d-moll, BWV 1052 - II. Adagio [0:05:41.00]
03. Harpsichord Concerto in d-moll, BWV 1052 - III. Allegro [0:08:03.35]
04. Harpsichord Concerto in E-Dur, BWV 1053 - I. [ohneTempobezeichnung] [0:08:07.71]
05. Harpsichord Concerto in E-Dur, BWV 1053 - II. Siciliano [0:04:30.23]
06. Harpsichord Concerto in E-Dur, BWV 1053 - III. Allegro [0:06:31.19]
07. Harpsichord Concerto in D-Dur, BWV 1054 - I. [ohneTempobezeichnung] [0:07:49.20]
08. Harpsichord Concerto in D-Dur, BWV 1054 - II. Adagio e Piano Sempre [0:05:12.72]
09. Harpsichord Concerto in D-Dur, BWV 1054 - III. Allegro [0:02:51.42]
10. Harpsichord Concerto in -Dur, BWV 1055 - I. Allegro [0:04:26.70]
11. Harpsichord Concerto in -Dur, BWV 1055 - II. Larghetto [0:05:30.35]
12. Harpsichord Concerto in -Dur, BWV 1055 - III. Allegro na non tanto [0:04:11.11]

CD 2:
01. Concerto in f-moll, BWV 1056 - I. [ohne Tempobezeichnung] [0:04:27.41]
02. Concerto in f-moll, BWV 1056 - II. Largo [0:02:27.50]
03. Concerto in f-moll, BWV 1056 - III. Presto [0:03:32.72]
04. Concerto für Cembalo, 2 Flöten, Streicher & b.c. in F-Dur, BWV 1057 - I. [ohne Tempobezeichnung] [0:07:14.06]
05. Concerto für Cembalo, 2 Flöten, Streicher & b.c. in F-Dur, BWV 1057 - II. Andante [0:03:42.09]
06. Concerto für Cembalo, 2 Flöten, Streicher & b.c. in F-Dur, BWV 1057 - III. Allegro assai [0:05:11.40]
07. Concerto in g-moll, BWV 1058 - I. [ohne Tempobezeichnung] [0:04:10.07]
08. Concerto in g-moll, BWV 1058 - II. Andante [0:06:09.50]
09. Concerto in g-moll, BWV 1058 - III. Allegro assai [0:04:01.27]
10. Concerto für 2 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in c-moll, BWV 1060 - I. Allegro [0:05:30.22]
11. Concerto für 2 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in c-moll, BWV 1060 - II. Largo ovvero adagio [0:05:44.68]
12. Concerto für 2 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in c-moll, BWV 1060 - III. Allegro [0:03:44.28]
13. Concerto für 4 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in a-moll, BWV 1065 - I. [ohne Tempobezeichnung] [0:03:59.42]
14. Concerto für 4 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in a-moll, BWV 1065 - II. Largo [0:02:32.13]
15. Concerto für 4 Cembali, Streicher & b.c. in a-moll, BWV 1065 - III. Allegro [0:03:26.63]

CD 3:
01. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1061 I. Without tempo indication [0:06:58.29]
02. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1061 II. Adagio ovvero largo [0:05:09.60]
03. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1061 III. Fuga [0:05:41.30]
04. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Mineur, BWV 1062 I. Without tempo indication [0:03:39.62]
05. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Mineur, BWV 1062 II. Andante [0:05:42.53]
06. Concerto pour 2 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Mineur, BWV 1062 III. Allegro assai [0:04:31.71]
07. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ré Mineur, BWV 1063 I. Without tempo indication [0:04:46.00]
08. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ré Mineur, BWV 1063 II. Alla siciliana [0:03:47.15]
09. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ré Mineur, BWV 1063 III. Allegro [0:04:52.09]
10. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1064 I. Without tempo indication [0:06:05.27]
11. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1064 II. Adagio [0:05:17.65]
12. Concerto pour 3 Clavecins et Cordes en Ut Majeur, BWV 1064 III. Allegro [0:04:30.43]

Performers:
Christine Schornsheim - harpsichord
Armin Thalheim - harpsichord
Mechtild Stark - harpsichord
Violetta Liebsch - harpsichord
Pieter-Jan Belder - harpsichord
Menno van Delft - harpsichord
Siebe Henstra - harpsichord
Neues Bachisches Collegium Music [on period instruments]
Musica Amphion [on period instruments]
Burkhard Glaetzner - conductor
Pieter-Jan Belder - conductor