Bach,J.S. / Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks - Bach: Complete Edition - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Johann Sebastian Bach's stature as a composer of extraordinary talent and widespread influence is so firmly established in Western culture that it is difficult to believe that only 150 years ago his works lay in veritable obscurity, unknown to all but a small group of scholars. It is largely thanks to ohn, who essentially effected a revival of the composer's music through his rediscovery and promulgation of the St Matthew Passion, besides other pieces, that his works are today regarded as pinnacles of music expression. That they are among the most performed and widely attended is in no doubt; in Holland alone, thousands of singers and musicians are involved in dozens of performances of the St Matthew Passion in Holy Week, with hundreds of thousands listening in churches and concert halls, or gathered around the radio, to what has been described as 'the Gospel according to Bach'. Bringing together all of his works, this dynamic 142-CD set offers a resounding impression of this great spirit of our Western culture, presenting dynamic performances - many period-based, many acclaimed by the international press - that are divided according to genre, thus making for a highly user-friendly compendium. The set draws on all periods of his career, tracing the development of a style that was much influenced by contemporary and past fashions but which was always adapted to Bach's own purpose, often far surpassing the models on which he drew. The German composer travelled a great deal from city to city, and the different circumstances of his various positions are reflected in the great range of works comprising his output while his early years are dominated by much keyboard music, on account of the numerous organist posts he held during this period, later positions at various courts accorded him more personal and artistic freedom - in Cothen, for example, Prince Leopold's passion

Benjamin Schmid was born in Vienna and grew up in Salzburg. In 1992 he won the Carl Flesch Competition in London, where he was also awarded the Mozart, the Beethoven and the Audience prize. Since then he has performed on the world's major stages with renowned orchestras such as the Vienna Philharmonic, the Philharmonia Orchestra London and many more. Probably one of the most versatile of today's violinists, Schmid combines his qualities as a soloist, the extraordinary broad range of repertoire - in addition to the usual works he also plays the Violin Concertos by Harmann, Gulda, Korngold, Muthspiel, Szymanowski, Lutoslawski and Schonberg - with remarkable skill in jazz improvisation. Album Tracks 1. I. Adagio - Benjamin Schmid 2. II. Fuga. Allegro - Benjamin Schmid 3. III. Siciliana - Benjamin Schmid 4. IV. Presto - Benjamin Schmid 5. I. Allemanda - Benjamin Schmid 6. Double - Benjamin Schmid 7. II. Corrente - Benjamin Schmid 8. Double. Presto - Benjamin Schmid 9. III. Sarabanda - Benjamin Schmid 10. Double - Benjamin Schmid 11. IV. Tempo Die Borea - Benjamin Schmid 12. Double - Benjamin Schmid 13. I. Grave - Benjamin Schmid 14. II. Fuga - Benjamin Schmid 15. III. Andante - Benjamin Schmid 16. IV. Allegro - Benjamin Schmid 1. I. Allemanda - Benjamin Schmid 2. II. Corrente - Benjamin Schmid 3. III. Sarabanda - Benjamin Schmid 4. IV. Giga - Benjamin Schmid 5. V. Ciaccona - Benjamin Schmid 6. I. Adagio - Benjamin Schmid 7. II. Fuga - Benjamin Schmid 8. III. Largo - Benjamin Schmid 9. IV. Allegro Assai - Benjamin Schmid 10. I. Preludio - Benjamin Schmid 11. II. Loure - Benjamin Schmid 12. III. Gavotte en Rondeau - Benjamin Schmid 13. IV. Menuet I - Benjamin Schmid 14. Menuet II - Benjamin Schmid 15. V. Bourrée - Benjamin Schmid 16. IV. Gigue - Benjamin Schmid 1. (Ohne Titel) - Benjamin Schmid/Cis Colleg

One of Germany's largest and most important independent record labels, Hanssler Classic is renowned for having recorded every single piece of music written by J.S. Bach. Their 172-album set of the complete works of J.S. Bach performed by Helmuth Rilling and the Bach-Collegium Stuttgart was the first complete set of Bach's works to be released together on album. It won the prestigious 2001 Cannes Classical Award for best special edition and the 2000 Echo Classical award for Editorial Achievement. The present is an exemplary showcase of each and every one of JS Bach's Oratorios, recorded over the last four decade