There was a time when these early-'80s recordings of
Bach's Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Brandenburgs and his Triple Concerto for flute, violin and harpsichord were the best available, when the playing of harpsichordist
Trevor Pinnock was the sin qua non of style, when the violin playing of
Simon Standage was the ne plus ultra of grace, when the ritornello of the
English Concert was the crème de la crème of elegance, and when Archiv's sound was the acme and epitome of translucent clarity. That time was then and that time is now and that time will always will be. Although in the '80s
Pinnock and the
English Concert were among the very first virtuoso players of
Bach's music on period instruments, and although there have been myriad legions of virtuosos since then, none have surpassed
Pinnock and the
Concert in panache and precision. And although there have been dozens of recordings of the Brandenburgs by period ensembles, none have surpassed the gracious brilliance and glorious golden glow of
Pinnock and the
Concert's recordings. These are truly timeless recordings that should be heard by everyone who loves the music.