Bach: Brandenburg Concertos – analogue recordings on LP

Notes on the sound quality of Brandenburg Concertos releases on LP. Only all-analogue stereo recordings qualify and this is not by far a complete list.

Fitting six concertos on LP

The cycle consists of six concertos, which would naturally fit on three LPs, but only two such releases are known (see below). All the others squeeze the cycle onto two LPs, which can be done in two ways:

The concertos are pressed in a different order, so that each longer concerto gets a side of its own and the shorter ones share a side. A side with two concertos can run up to 30 minutes, depending on the tempos.
A long concerto (e.g. No. 5) is split between two sides. This is probably the better solution from the standpoint of pressing quality.

Sets on 3 LPs (complete list)

Karl Münchinger, Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra, rec. 1959, Decca

Cover of the Münchinger set Discogs

Albert Fuller, Aston Magna, rec. 1977, Smithsonian Collection

Cover of the Aston Magna set Discogs. The concertos are fitted on five sides; the sixth side is empty.

Sets on 2 LPs (selection)

Karl Richter, Archiv Produktion, rec. 1967

Cover of the Richter set Discogs. A fine recording, although not among the favourites. The concertos are reordered, not split. The sides are 27 and 28 minutes long, with no apparent impact on the sound.

Benjamin Britten, English Chamber Orchestra, Decca, rec. 1969

Cover of the Britten set Discogs. A good middle-ground recording. The concertos are in order and No. 5 is split. The length of the sides is not a problem.

Neville Marriner, Academy of St Martin in the Fields, Philips

Recording of 1971

Cover of the Marriner 1971 set Discogs. The concertos are reordered, not split. Side 2 is almost 30 minutes long.

Cover of the 1981 reissue, concertos 1, 2 and 6 The recording was re-released in 1981 as two separate LPs (Discogs, second part). A copy of this reissue sounds dynamically compressed and lacks sparkle, especially in the inner grooves, although it is not distorted. I have not checked the original 1971 pressing yet.

Recording of 1981

Cover of the Marriner 1981 set Discogs. An analogue recording, even in 1981. The concertos are in order and No. 5 is split. The length of the sides is not a problem, and the sound is perfect. The recording was re-released in 1983 as two separate LPs, but these are already digitally remastered.