This is a disc not to be missed, if not for the excellent playing, but also for the sound that will certainly dispel the notion that baroque music is sedate or boring - Sound 10/10 Trackingangle

Part of The Original Source Series from Deutsche Grammophon

100% pure analog AAA mastering

Remastered from the original 4-track recordings at Emil Berliner Studios

No tape copies used, no unnecessary devices in the signal path, no digital sound processing!

Pinnock performances are exceptionally well recorded, presenting a realistic soundstage with natural separation and spacing. under The Original Source program, this new pressing demands a reevaluation. Cut using the RIAA EQ (like all 21st C. LPs) instrumental texture is improved; instruments have more body, weight, and dimensionality, the overall acoustic is better defined and far more coherent; as a result, the sense of musical shape and flow is dramatically improved.   Pinnock’s Orchestral Suites are treasures that I will turn to many times in the years to come.  5/5 LP

Bach’s Overtures or Orchestral Suites are, mostly very joyful, suites of dance movements. The two recorded here, No.1 and No. 3, are especially flamboyant works of Baroque splendor, while also featuring the famous “Air” (in Suite No. 3), a peaceful piece of utter beauty and serenity.

Hardly any ensemble has influenced our listening attitudes to “early music” as much as “The English Concert”, which came into being over 50 years ago. The founder and long-time conductor Trevor Pinnock led the musicians with an articulate tone from the harpsichord and thus formed the sound from the heart of the ensemble. Historical authenticity was the basis of the playing, but their aim was a brilliant, lively orchestral sound serving the emotional core of the music.

The audiophile vinyl series The Original Source presents outstanding recordings from the 1970s in a whole new sound quality. For this, the renowned Emil Berliner Studios have remastered and edited the original four- and eight-track tapes in 100% analog quality (AAA) using technologies developed specifically to produce the series. The sonic differences to the original releases are considerable: greater clarity, more subtleties and improvements in frequency response, while at the same time less background noise, distortion and compression allow for an audiophile listening experience like never before.

On 180g vinyl records and in a deluxe gatefold edition with original covers and lyrics, the copies of this series are released limited and numbered, accompanied by additional photos and facsimiles of the recording logs and band boxes.

Side A
1. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : I. Overture
2. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : II. Courante
3. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : III. Gavotte I-II
4. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : IV. Forlane
5. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : V. Menuet I-II
6. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : VI. Bourrée I-II
7. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 1 in C Major, BMV 1066 : VII. Passepied I-II

Side B
1. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 : I. Overture
2. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 : II. Air
3. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 : III. Gavotte I-II
4. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 : IV. Bourrée
5. J.S. Bach : Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 : V. Gigue