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Analekta4.5
Johann Sebastian Bach: The Complete Violin Concertos
James Ehnes, violin; National Arts Centre Orchestra; Alexander Shelley, conductor
Analekta, 2025
Bach’s corpus of concertos for violin or with violin is far less extensive than one might expect from such a prolific composer. In his disc notes, James Ehnes points out that only two works of this kind for solo violin exist today. Added to this are the reconstructions of manuscripts, which the performer himself made for this recording, and the concertos for several instruments, including violin. It has to be said that the six sonatas and partitas have largely overshadowed Bach’s other masterpieces for violin.
The listener is immediately enveloped by the richness of the sound and the fluidity of the NAC Orchestra‘s playing. The ornamentation is rendered with great finesse, but it is above all the musical topography and liveliness shaped by Ehnes that captivates the ear. In the adagios, the violinist moves us with his nuances and expressive vibrato, perfectly illustrating that the strength of an interpretation sometimes lies in the expression of fragility.
When combined with other soloists, we can only regret that the timbre of the solo violin blends a little too much with that of the orchestra. As it stands, the recording does not allow it to rival the sound projection of the flute. The same problem applies to the harpsichord, which does not seem close enough to the microphones to bring out the subtleties of its virtuoso line.
Other issues of volume arise in the Concerto for oboe and violin in C minor. Some unimportant orchestral features are thrust to the fore when they should be supporting the soloists.
That said, Ehnes and his partners give a high-quality performance that is very faithful to Bach’s repertoire. The complete works presented here would be a fine addition to your record collection.
Translation: Gianmarco Segato
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