Yet more bargains..

Following on from the previous post about the Big Box Of Bach, a nod to another special offer that finishes at the end of this month, this time further discounting a range of budget reissues.

Warner are in the process of re-releasing a number of recordings originally put out by Teldec as part of the 50th anniversary of the 'Das Alte Werk' imprint. The classical music specialists Europadisc have the entire range on special offer until July the 30th - down to £5 for a single CD and £7.50 for a double. There are more treasures here than you can shake a good sized stick at, but I'll pick out a few personal favourites and some others I have my eye on. To see the whole range, go to their 'Advanced Search' page and type 'Das Alte Werk' into the 'Label' field.

Nikolaus Harnoncourt is particularly well-represented. His recording of Bach's B Minor Mass doesn't really need my voice adding to its general high regard. But, for me, it's partly the sound of leaden-footed, foursquare Bach performance being cast aside; lithe and well-paced with wonderful solo contributions, it also stands up brilliantly in its own right. Harnoncourt's interpretation of Haydn's 'Nelson Mass' is also well worth trying out. I already posted around Easter time on Harnoncourt's St John Passion - available here at a ridiculously low price.

The ensemble Il Giardino Armonico also do well with at least a couple of outstanding recordings. Their interpretation of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos is wonderful - punchy, zesty and stylish. Not so long ago, the hypercritical judges of Radio 3's 'Building a Library' picked it as their top choice. For once, I agree with them! I've also been enjoying Il Giardino Armonico's selection of 'Christmas Concertos': Corelli, Vivaldi, Torelli and others. A little unseasonal, but a great addition to a collection of Christmas music & good fun at any time of year.

Back to Bach, there's also the recording by Herbert Tachezi (who played organ for Concentus Musicus Wien in Harnoncourt & Leonhardt's complete cantata cycle) of the Art of Fugue. I've also noticed that the special offer price applies to pre-orders, a whole batch of CDs due to be released on Monday. A couple featuring the Monteverdi Choir of Hamburg stand out: Bach's Jagdkantate (Hunt Cantata) & Schutz's St Luke Passion.

Frankly there's just too much to do justice to here. And here's the drawback of special offers - when bargains arrive in large numbers are are just too tempting...