Re: JS Bach / Brandenburg concertos / Die Freitagsakademie

On Sat, 07 Sep 2024 03:44:30 -0700, Roland van Gaalen wrote:

This is intended to be a glowing review.
>
I like this recording VERY much, despite the intrusive sound effects of
horse-drawn carriages, fireworks, bells and other background noises,
occasionally even something that might resemble the 18th century Leipzig
happy party sound.
>
The interpretation is spirited and exciting.
>
The instruments sound 'authentic' to me and yet great -- definitely
extremely hip!
>
JS Bach: Brandenburg Concertos 1-6
Die Freitagsakademie
2 CDs, label: 'Winter &  Winter'
Released 2012

Is this a live or studio recording? In either case,
the mixing engineer has great power to emphasize or
de-emphasize tracks in a multi-track recording, so
it can be a reasonable demand that the effect tracks
be turned off, or reduced in volume, that can only
come about from a rerelease with "re"mixing, provided
that the per-track recording haven't been deleted.

I have the same view when applause tracks are
*emphasized* by the engineers, or even "flown-in"
from a different recording.

I like to say that the best engineering is the
least, and what you describe is *intrusive*
engineering that screams "wow, you can really hear
the engineering!"

I've got a recording of a La Folia, where
table saws are mixed into the sound, if I recall
correctly. I can't be objective and say
exactly that the recording would be better
without it because as a listener/consumer only the
released recording can be judged, not the
hypothetical.

But bad engineering is always a justified complaint.

>
BACKGROUND (copied from website JPC.de):
<<  The album "The Celebration" transports the listener to the year 1721
for a lavish baroque celebration. The composition for this sound story
was written by Johann Sebastian Bach. At dusk, carriages drive to the
festival, splendidly dressed guests sit in them, and from afar the first
notes of Bach's new work "The Celebration" can be heard The first notes
of Bach's new work "Six Concerts Avec plusieurs Instruments" can be
heard from afar. Margrave Christian Ludwig von Brandenburg-Schwedt
invites guests, because Bach dedicates his score to him, only later it
shall become world famous under the name "Brandenburg Concertos". An
orchestra of more than twenty musicians, with horns, trumpets and
strings unfolds on a square, which becomes a ballroom, the wonderful
ballroom, unfolds the most wonderful sounds. The night is filled.
'Italian' overtures resound, fugues, concerto grosso and group concerts
alternate. Bach literally unfolds a fireworks display, a chase of
pleasure, a dance of sounds. This baroque festival is a total work of
art for the senses
>
"Die Freitagsakademie", the ensemble of the best Swiss baroque
musicians, plays the six concerts
Recording is analog without digital tricks. The interpretation in
natural sound promises a listening experience>>