Hilary Hahn is not regarded as an early music star, but her recordings of
Bach's violin concertos with
Jeffrey Kahane and the
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra are somewhat in the spirit of historically informed performances. Some of the expected characteristics of Baroque period practice are here, such as fleet tempos, a small ensemble, bright sonorities, light textures, and an active harpsichord and cello continuo. The versatility of
Kahane and his group goes far to create this period quality. Hahn might have indulged in some free ornamentation and improvised cadenzas, but her straightforward playing is at least clean and unaffected, and she deserves credit for her brilliant technique, which carries these pieces. Deutsche Grammophon's recording puts
Hahn in a prominent, central position, so it's easy to stay focused on her solo part in the big sound of this hybrid SACD.