Vladimir Feltsman, Orchestra Of St. Luke's - Johann Sebastian Bach: 7 Keyboard Concertos (2009) 2CDs

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Vladimir Feltsman, Orchestra Of St. Luke's - Johann Sebastian Bach: 7 Keyboard Concertos (2009) 2CDs

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Originally recorded for the small Music Masters label in the early '90s, this set of Bach's keyboard concertos was among a series of choice Music Masters items reissued by Nimbus late in the first decade of the 21st century. The Russians have never been known for Bach, but this is a solid traversal that can be recommended to anyone wanting to hear these concertos on a piano accompanied by modern instruments. Despite these forces, there is a good deal of influence from the British historical-instrument movement apparent here; the crisp string playing avoids any hint of Romantic sheen, and Feltsman is very subtle in his introduction of purely pianistic elements. The long notes in the slow movements tend to be just a bit more extended than would be possible on a harpsichord, and Feltsman thus creates a smooth, pearly texture that's quite lyrical. In several of the finales he pushes the tempo to high speeds, creating an entirely different effect on a piano that the music would have on a harpsichord. The sole real complaint is the omission of the Keyboard Concerto No. 6 in F major, BWV 1057, an arrangement of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 4. It is replaced with the Italian Concerto for solo keyboard, BWV 971, for which Feltsman delivers a light, fleet performance. But the Brandenburg arrangement, the last in the set, was probably intended by Bach as its capstone, and it's not clear why it was left out, especially inasmuch as there was plenty of room for it on a compact disc. The sound environment was one of those early CD recordings that attempted, with its foregrounded upper end that caught lots of ambient noise, to mimic the experience of hearing an LP, and it actually works well with Feltsman's readings, which hark back to the 1960s. The recordings were made at the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in New York. The booklet, in English only, is another attraction; the notes by American critic Tim Page could not offer a more concise argument for why one should care about these pieces.

Review by James Manheim, Allmusic.com

"Here are more of Nimbus' re-releases from the Music Masters catalogue. Those unearthing efforts were warmly welcomed when they offered Vladimir Feltsman's spunky and thoroughly gratifying Goldberg Variations from 1991. Those efforts are also welcome when it comes to Feltsman's recording of the Bach Keyboard Concertos—wholly affable and with liner-notes by Tim Page.

Admittedly, there is no reason to replace Angela Hewitt's slightly more complete, and considerably more expensive, recording (Hyperion, also available on SACD), or András Schiff (Decca), or Murray Perahia (Sony) with Feltsman. But if you have none of these recordings and you see Feltsman's about, go ahead and grab it in the secure knowledge that you will have a very fine account at hand.

Feltsman includes the 'standard 6', BWV 1052-1056 and 1057, but not BWV 1057, the modified Fourth Brandenburg and the incomplete BWV 1059 — and he adds a performance of the Italian Concerto. Much of what I said about Browning — tasteful, level-headed, technical efficacy — applies here, too, but at the other, upper end of the neutral-positive spectrum. The Orchestra of St. Luke's, conducted by Feltsman, turns in a very spirited performance. And although it's not a HIP band, their nimble forces and lissome playing make this 1993 recording sound modern which is to say: devoid of the 19th and 20th century romantic baroque opulence that had occurred here and there. Only in the opening Allegro of the F minor concerto (BWV 1056) is the orchestra minimally heavy-footed; everywhere else tempos strike lively and natural. Terrific stuff that makes for happy listening."

Review by Jens F. Laurson, MusicWeb International

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Vladimir Feltsman, Orchestra Of St. Luke's - Johann Sebastian Bach: 7 Keyboard Concertos (2009) 2CDs

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Vladimir Feltsman, Orchestra Of St. Luke's - Johann Sebastian Bach: 7 Keyboard Concertos (2009) 2CDs

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Vladimir Feltsman, Orchestra Of St. Luke's - Johann Sebastian Bach: 7 Keyboard Concertos (2009) 2CDs

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