Bach at New Year's: the Brandenburg Concerti December 31, 2010

The Brandenburg Concerti occupy a unique place in the baroque repertory, being a set of six innovative works, each for a different combination of instruments and using a different strategy to evoke a kaleidoscope of colors unusual for the period. Although the Berkshire Bach Ensemble have performed these works for many years, each yearly installment offers some surprises generated by the restless inventiveness of Kenneth Cooper, who promises new sounds from the percussion section in the First Concerto, and extra parts for winds in the Third. The total instrumental ensemble includes flutes, oboes, bassoon, trumpet, horns, viols, timpani and harpsichord, in addition to the ten original string parts.