Under director and harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen, period-instrument ensemble Concerto Copenhagen presents Bach's Overtures (alternatively known as his Orchestral Suites) in what some scholars believe to be their original, one-per-part instrumentation. Depending on the source material, the Overtures may call for a fuller string ensemble and the addition of brass and timpani (in the Third and Fourth Overtures); Mortensen opts for an edition that includes neither. There are plenty of difficult passages throughout these ...
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Under director and harpsichordist Lars Ulrik Mortensen, period-instrument ensemble Concerto Copenhagen presents Bach's Overtures (alternatively known as his Orchestral Suites) in what some scholars believe to be their original, one-per-part instrumentation. Depending on the source material, the Overtures may call for a fuller string ensemble and the addition of brass and timpani (in the Third and Fourth Overtures); Mortensen opts for an edition that includes neither. There are plenty of difficult passages throughout these well-known and oft-recorded works, and this structure leaves the performers exposed and allows them to shine. Admittedly, some of the harmonics are lost when compared to filled-out string sections, and the harpsichord is overpowering at times, but overall, the members of Concerto Copenhagen deliver excellent readings akin to what Bach likely would have had at his disposal. Mortensen disregards many, if not all, of the repeats, which helps keep the music moving forward and takes a bit...
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