Christine Schornsheim, Pieter-Jan Belder - J.S. Bach: Harpsichord Concertos (2012)

If you’re looking for an acceptable, low-cost cycle of Bach’s harpsichord concertos, this Brilliant Classics set may be of interest. Discs 1 and 2 contain all of the concertos for solo harpsichord and continuo, as well as the Concerto BWV 1060 for two harpsichords and Concerto BWV 1065 for four harpsichords, performed by the modern-instrument ensemble Neues Bachisches Collegium Musicum, with soloist Christine Schornsheim, joined by fellow harpsichordists Armin Thalheim, Mechtild Stark, and Violetta Liebsch in the multiple keyboard works. These performances were originally issued in the U.S. nearly 25 years ago on the now defunct Capriccio label.

The momentum of the opening movement of the Concerto in E, BWV 1053 is a little shaky at times, and the first-movement Allegro of the Concerto in C minor BWV 1060 is inordinately sluggish, but otherwise these are fine, moderately paced performances that have stood up well over time. The early digital sound is a little congested, most notably in the lower strings, and Schornsheim’s instrument is placed somewhat forward in the mix in the solo concertos, but neither of these presents an obstacle to serious listening.

The third disc compiles the remainder of the concertos for multiple harpsichords performed by the period-instrument ensemble Musica Amphion, featuring its harpsichordist/director Pieter-Jan Belder, joined by harpsichordists Menno van Delft and Siebe Henstra. Belder and Musica Amphion’s tempos and articulation are slightly more varied and diverse than heard in the NBCM performances, though the instrumental sound is noticeably crisper and more well-defined. Of course much of this has to do with the difference in sound between modern and period-instrument ensembles, though advancements in digital technology likely deserves most of the credit here. Not bad. -- John Greene