Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: One of my most cherished treasures!
Comment: To be frank, I have no negative criticism. Surely, perfection is not of this earth. But the complete works of Bach, such a dream come true, at such a price! Those who daign demand the best by the greatest artists are unreasonable, a set so complete, music so divine, I am delighted.
I see no purpose in showing off my knowledge on Bach by criticizing.
155 CD's with the complete works of a Master, who am I to complain?
Those demanding more, for less, let them do it better, themselves.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great set! But cheaper elsewhere..
Comment: My copy just arrived today from the German Amazon.de, I paid US $74 total and received it in 8 days (I'm in Texas). I checked all my CD's and there were no duplicates or missing disks, so I am very happy! Of course this isn't my favorite copy of the Brandenburg's (or certain Cantatas), but they're definitely not bad. For the price, I might have to grab the Mozart and Beethoven sets quicker than I imagined. Thanks Amazon(.de!)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Inexhaustible Musical Riches
Comment: I've so far listened to about 15 discs (out of 155!), dipping into most of the representative genres of Bach's output. Nearly everything here has been recorded since 1990 (which qualifies as nearly brand-new in the world of "classical" music recordings). For example, the Brandenburgs were recorded in 2006, the sacred cantatas (60 discs by themselves) in 1999-2000. Your reaction to them will depend on your own position on the spectrum of Bach performance style: "sewing machine" style Bach, Stokowski -style lushness, the Gould style, or the HIP ("historically informed performance") style. This set is decidedly in the HIP style, which necessarily means (for instance) harpsichords are used instead of pianos. I generally agree with Beecham's opinion of the sound of the harpsichord, but the instruments used in these recordings are very modern copies of baroque instruments and have a beautiful, even rich tone. Performers tend to be young (i.e., the post Leonhardt/Harnoncourt generation and beyond); some even have their own web sites. For classical music lovers I think it's the bargain of the century.
Customer Rating:
Summary: ITS ALL IN HERE
Comment: WOW , ITS ALL I WAS WAITING FOR , NICE MUSIC , GREAT CANTATAS , ALL ITS DIVIDED ON GROUPS AND THATS BETTER SO I LISTEN TO WHAT I WANT , GREAT PACKAGE
THE WORKS OF BACH ARE HARD TOO FIND ON THE MUSIC STORES , SO YOU WONT REGREAT BUYING THIS PRODUCT
Customer Rating:
Summary: Bach to the Future
Comment: After listening to a representative sample, I would argue this set is a bargain at 3 times the price:
Yes the recordings are much as Bach would have wanted them performed. Its as if you could enter a time capsule and arrive at the Thomaskirche just in time for the Sunday Mass. Most of the comments below about the sound or performance quality of this collection are due to this and not to production or recording standards which are high throughout.
The 17 discs of organ works alone are more than worth the price of admission. As a whole they could possibly be the best collection available today at any price. The vocal works are authentic to the era with modest ensembles that evoke the spirit of the lectionary or civic event. All Keyboarding is per harpsichord and wind instruments are 18th century in color and timbre.
The settings are primarily in the Netherlands and Sweden in venues appropriate to the objective of the collection. Packaging is not a disappointment either- the CD sleeves are tastefully adorned with art from the Renaissance and each lists solo voice and instrument performers. Highly recommended- its a joy to become engaged in the music of a master.
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