There's also an important element of period performance style. Modern performers learn to play with a very different set of default skills than in Bach's period

There's also an important element of period performance style. Modern performers learn to play with a very different set of default skills than in Bach's period. Combining the two (the style and the instrument) and the music seems to really "jump" alive in ways that modern classically trained orchestras can't seem to quite get to. A great example of the playing style difference is this interpretation class with Benjamin Zander - https://youtu.be/b2S-OjTb4nU https://youtu.be/b2S-OjTb4nU