Bach Gesamtset in English (Box)

$1,113.10

Excellent set - Sure you could buy individual performances that rate higher, but still this is an excellent set, especially for those who can t stand the Leonhardt-Harnoncourt cycle of Cantatas, which is included in the Bach 2000 complete collection. With respect to that cycle, Jim Svejda noted that Harnoncourt and Leonhards gleefully take turns mauling the luckless pieces beyond recognition. Svejda noted, however, that the Rilling cycle, which is included here, has lovely and important things to say. The singers are women instead of boys (which is less authentic, but vastly superior). Penguin stated: All in all, we have derived much satisfaction in either making or renewing our acquaintance with his cycle, which will suit many collectors in search of a scholarly yet intelligently aware approach with a traditional sound.Besides the aforementioned Bach 2000 set, your only other choice for a complete set is the Brilliant Classics box, which was, for a long time, only available for 99 Euros on some web sites. It is now available on Amazon.com. That set, while a super bargain, and certainly something to consider for the novice, has not been as well received as the Hanssler set. Like the Bach 2000 set, it also uses period instruments, which I find difficult to listen to when compared to the warmth of modern instrument practice. As to the other items, these likewise contain some superior performances. For example, The Musical Offering is given the first choice rating by BBC Radio 3, and the English Suites are likewise given high marks. The Harpsichord Concertos are performed on modern instruments and are highly rated by Penguin, as are the Viola da gamba Sonatas, Partitas Nos. 1-6 for harpsichord, The Well-Tempered Clavier, and The Art of Fugue.The documentation is likewise excellent.Note that this box is huge (nearly two cubic feet) as the discs are in regular sized jewel cases.Note also that this contains the same selections as the Complete 172 CD Set also listed on Amazon. In fact, I can t tell that there is any difference between the two items, except that the sellers seem to price this particular version a couple of hundred dollars cheaper than the other set. See that item for more reviews and a picture of the box.