FOUR ORCHESTRAL SUITES - BWV 1066-1069

Johann Sebastian Bach
FOUR ORCHESTRAL SUITES
National Museum Het Loo Palace, Netherlands, 1989

Orchestra, Chorus: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Conductor: Ton Koopman

Four delightful performance programmes feature the leading international chamber orchestra which specialises in authentic renditions on fine reproduction period instruments. Bach’s orchestral suites (BWV 1066-9), No. 1 in C, No. 2 in B minor, and Nos 3 and 4 in D major, were recorded in the magnificent baroque surroundings of the Palace Het Loo, built by William of Orange. A different part of the palace forms an elegant and fitting backdrop to each performance. Baroque specialist Ton Koopman conducts his orchestra from the harpsichord.

"Ton Koopman has long been master of Bach's Orchestral Suites, as these 1989 recordings attest. He has a wonderful affinity for the composer's orchestral colours, for speeds that are apt but never exaggerated and for working with players who are at the very top of their profession and yet who are never simply interested in surface gloss. It's not surprising that his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra is one of the pre-eminent bands in the period-instrument world. [...] Altogether, though, these are classy and thoroughly recommendable performances of these great works." Harriet Smith, Amazon.co.uk