Certainly Andrew Manze is a genius of a violinist, period or otherwise, but I'm still not convinced he "gets" Bach (although his 2-disc set of Sonatas for Violin and continuo make a very good argument). And Podger, on this disc and on her Solo Sonatas and Partitas discs, seems to play with a sensitivity for the musicology surrounding the pieces and a near total ignorance of the past century of Bach interpreters on the violin. This can at times be refreshing, but still, she is no Heifetz or Milstein... not even close. The playing on this disc is lively, fresh, spirited, exhibiting Harmonia Mundi's trademark warmth of tone. In short, it sounds like Vivaldi. The interpreters seem to gloss over Bach's more serious and sublime side. Three of the four pieces on this disc are in minor keys, which typically call for a bit more depth of feeling when it comes to Bach, but the players here whip through them with the verve and flourish of Venetian street musicians (albeit with better engineering).
Certainly don't shun this recording. It is truly delightful. But don't take it as the defining recording of these pieces. If you enjoy this music, try to explore some differing interpretations, especially of the D-minor Double Concerto. There are plenty out there, and many of them give you a depth that this recording doesn't. I would recommend Heifetz's Double Concerto (on a disc with a Mozart and a Brahms concerto). His interpretation is perhaps the finest ever recorded....
