Bach: Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Continuo in E major; Concerto for Two Violins, Strings, and Continuo in D minor; Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Continuo in A minor; Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Continuo in C minor.

Bach: Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Continuo in E major; Concerto for Two Violins, Strings, and Continuo in D minor; Concerto for Violin, Strings, and Continuo in A minor; Concerto for Oboe, Violin, Strings, and Continuo in C minor Hilary Hahn, violin/Margaret Batjer, violin/Allan Vogel, oboe/Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra/Jeffrey Kahane (Deutsche Grammophon B0000986-02)

When you hear the way the orchestra digs into the first few chords, you know this is going to be a dynamite recording. Not too slow, not too fast, precise yet energetic, and the sound quality is really fine.

Can it really be true that Bach was born more than 300 years ago? His music sounds so fresh, especially when performed with the gusto exhibited in this recording. Young violinist Hilary Hahn plays with sparkle and verve, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra under the dirction of Jeffrey Kahane match her enthusiasm and intensity. This is a wonderful recording, and I can certainly see why JJP put it in his 10 Best list for the year. It belonged in mine, but I just did not quite have room for it.