At Last Bach Really Hits the Spot

Along the polite but not boring, lines with a very nice performance and recording, I'd recommend:

1. Rossini's Sonatas for Strings, performed by Camerata Bern on Deutsche Grammophon. Uncharacteristically good recording for DG! (BTW, Rossini composed these sonatas when he was only 12 years old.) I have this on vinyl only, but it was a digital recording and I'd assume it's on CD. These border on Divertimenti-esque, so they could be a little too smooth for you, but they're so well played that I can't imagine you being disappointed.

Another great, somewhat offbeat set of concertos that are highly enjoyable is Vivaldi's Bassoon Concertos played by Michael McCraw on Centaur CD (2001). Beware though - you could develop a bassoon addiction.

Another that might fit the bill, a little more demanding though, is Beethoven's Middle Quartets, performed by the Takacs Quartet on Decca CD's. Certainly can't go wrong owning this one anyway. (2002)

I also recommend the Manze/Podger recording for that concerto.

And I also highly recommend both volumes of the late Vivaldi violin concertos recorded by Carmignola for Sony. Excellent material (including some not previously recorded), performance, and recorded sound. The titles are a bit confusing for these. One is actually called "Late Vivaldi Concertos." Anyway, the numbers are SK 87733 and SK 89362.

Going to back to Germany, try Telemann: Sinfonia Spirituosa (Archiv 471 492-2).

Thanks everyone. BTW, I am always impressed at the speed and clarity of replies to posts in the music section.

Because sometimes audiophiles are assumed to care only about power cord upgrades.

I would be particularly interested in more Bach, but will also give the other suggestions a try.

Most of Glenn Gould's recordings are wonderful, especially the early ones. Also check out Wanda Landowska- she is the matriarch of the historical performance movement and recorded some very interesting performances.

A few more you may enjoy:

1. Bach: Trio Sonatas, Purcell Quartet, Chandos.
2. Bach: Violin Concertos and Double Concertos, Arthur Grumiaux, Philips.
3. Ignazio Albertini: Sonates Pour Violon & Basse Continue, Helene Schmitt, Alpha.
4. Corelli: Violin Sonatas, Andrew Manze, Harmonia Mundi.
5. Corelli: 12 Concerti Grossi, English Concert/Trevor Pinnock, Archive.
6. Bach: Art of Fugue, Emerson Quartet, Deutsche Grammophone. (A bit heavier than the rest, but glorious!)

Enjoy!