The Brandenburg Concertos were possibly unknown even to Bach's closest colleagues and family until well after his death, as they are not mentioned in his 1754 obituary.
Recording & Production
This recording of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos was made in May 2008 at St. Jude's-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden, London.
Composition History
The Margrave of Brandenburg never acknowledged receipt or thanked Bach for the concertos, and the manuscript remained unloved and unplayed in his library.
Interpretation
For this recording, the performers chose to use 'French' Baroque pitch (A = 392Hz), which significantly affects the sound and improves instrument balances.
Performer Biography
Richard Egarr, the music director of the Academy of Ancient Music, has performed a wide range of keyboard repertoire from the 15th century to modern works and is also a conductor.
Compositional Technique
Bach recycled parts of the Brandenburg Concertos, redressing movements for inclusion in later Leipzig cantatas.
Composition History
Bach presented these concertos as a fair-copy full score, dated March 24, 1721, to the Margrave of Brandenburg, likely as a job application.
