Are you looking for an album filled with five star recordings? Then look no further than this fine CD by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra. Here is one review I pulled from an Amazon listener.
“I have found that the performance style of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (OCO) typically coincides exactly with my personal preferences; it is certainly the case with this compilation. Specifically, I feel that OCO strives diligently to provide the emotional experience that the composer intended when the piece was written. One of my favorite pieces in the classical repertoire is track 3 – Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and I have heard at least a dozen professional performances of it, both live and recorded. Most orchestras perform it with a very slow tempo, and give the piece an almost depressing mood. In contrast, the OCO presentation has a fairly quick pace and uplifting character, which I believe represents the original intent for the cantata. I found each of the other tracks similarly true to what I perceive as the composer’s intent.
The technical quality of the recording is about 9 of 10, very crisp and clear, well miked, but perhaps just a slight bit less of that sense of air and of the performance venue than the very finest recording have. Certainly, nothing whatsoever to object to, however.
The short version is, I love this CD, and bought a spare in case my first copy should ever get damaged. Very highly recommended!”
Another reviewer gave the CD high marks but complained about the high price. As an alternate selection, “Mad About Baroque” was recommended. For this CD it appears one will need to deal with used copies so be careful.
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