ERC078-79 – Otto Klemperer conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos

Bach wrote the Brandenburg Concertos at some time or times between 1717 and 1721, while he was court music director to the Prince of Anhalt-Cöthen, who was a Calvinist and therefore worshipped without benefit of music. The Prince was nevertheless a keen musician, and he made good use of Bach‘s services. After two years the Prince married an unmusical wife and Bach realised his position was in jeopardy.  After a chance meeting with the  Margrave of Brandenburg in 1719 while in Berlin to collect a new harpsichord, he hoped this nobleman might be able to offer him employment. So he compiled a set of six instrumental concerti grossi and sent then them to the Margrave as a testament of...