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Bach Cello Suites

207.5.156.179
Posted on October 25, 2009 at 06:42:34
gustavusfalco
 A question from a very amateur classical music fan. I have and love Pierre Fournier's Bach cello suites (the one's on Deutsche Grammaphon). Suggest a another performance that would show the pieces in a new light.

Thanks.

RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on November 6, 2009 at 03:10:55
afro18
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 I've heard Ma and the later Starker, and Ma is much better in my opinion. Ma's 2000 version "The Cello Suites Inspired by Bach" is not typical Bach--metrical, symmetric, and syncopated. This is uber-romantic Bach--full of pace, emotion, and the sound quality is TOP NOTCH! If you can find it, go for the Ma---the later Ma. I have not heard the earlier Ma (1980's--Sony Masterworks---Maroon cover with his young picture), but the later Ma ROCKS!


Martin

RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on October 31, 2009 at 19:45:10
Kas
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 Just heard the Boris Pergamenschikov recording for the first time - add him to the short list, too.

RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on October 26, 2009 at 07:16:52
John N
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 I've been doing a slow comparison of the different sets I have, motivated by finally finally a copy of August Wenzinger's recording. Having found it, I was relatively disappointed, itis rather wooden to my ears. My favorite continues to be Henri Honegger, although I would not say it is terrifically different than Fournier. The other sets I am doing a careful listening to incliude Starker, Tortelier, Bylsma and probably a couple of thers I don't remember.
The Honegger has a wonderful tone, to my earsricher than Starker's. He also captures the "dancing" that I think Tortelier also captures, and that I think is important to listening to the suites a s something other than an academic exercise. Despite his shortcomings, I think that is also Casal's contribution, and why he was successful in restoring them to the performing repertoire.

I think the "reference" of this recording, posted on October 25, 2009 at 22:46:21
AudioDwebe
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 will probably be the artists' interpretation that you first heard that caught your heart. All others will be nice, not so nice, fantastic, only different, etcetera, but that first exposure, the one that truly caught your heart, will not be superceded by another version.

Having said that, my personal reference (the one that was poked fun at earlier in the thread) is the Yo Yo Ma version that came as a three-pack. Since watching it on television, falling in love with the music, buying and listening to it countless times, to me that is the version to have.

In the last few years I've purchased probably close to 10 other artists' interpretation of this piece (many of them mentioned in this thread) by musicians probably held in higher esteem than Mr. Ma, but I still prefer his version.

So for something different, I will suggest Yo Yo Ma's recording of this that came out about 10 or so years ago.

RE: I think the "reference" of this recording, posted on October 26, 2009 at 16:37:48
musetap
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 I have that version and it's pretty great, certainly better than his earlier recording of the suites.

I recall that program was pretty fascinating in how each artist interpreted the suites, was
inspired by them, and in turn applied that inspiration to their art.

Yo-Yo Ma gets knocked around a bit (one of the drawbacks of popularity) but he has big ears,
amazing talent and dedication - the earmarks of a great artist.

From there it's just a question of taste; you either appreciate him or not.

“ Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination. ” -Michael McClure
No shame in that, posted on October 26, 2009 at 08:34:17
rbolaw
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 If Yo-Yo Ma was a little-known performer, and his records rare collectors' items, he would probably be given more respect in discussion groups like this. And in saying that, I do not mean to put down any other contributors to this thread. But Ma has had as much exposure on record, in concert, and on TV, and is as close to a pop star, as a classical musician could hope for these days. It's hard for people who listen to as much classical music as we do not to suffer from "Ma fatigue" and want to hear some other cellists.
I have his Bach cello suites too. You are right, it's a fine set, enjoy it.

RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on October 25, 2009 at 19:52:42
Kas
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 As others have suggested, the greatest contrast with Fournier would be one of the better HIP sets, and I agree that Beschi and Bylsma (his earlier recording) are excellent.

For something more mainstream but still strongly contrasted with Fournier, I'd second the recommendations of Schiff and Wispelwey (but be sure to get Wispelwey's second version, which is much more interesting than his first effort). And Casals is essential; the best transfer I've heard is on Pearl, but it may be out of print. If so, the Opus Kura transfer is excellent, too.

Does anyone know where I might find copies of Nathaniel Rosen's and Davis Geringas' recordings of the suites?

Bill

Piatigorsky and Feurermann. Short memories on this forum, sometimes. nt, posted on October 25, 2009 at 18:45:05
tinear
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 ds

. . . as opposed to reflexive rose-colored glasses?, posted on October 25, 2009 at 20:49:39
Chris from Lafayette
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 (Just pulling your chain!) ;-)

You want different?, posted on October 25, 2009 at 16:18:29
jec01
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 Try Edgar Meyer's recording on Sony of Suites 1,2 and 5. He plays them on the double bass.

Happy listening,

Jim

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned Yo Yo Ma..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 13:27:49
jimbill
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 Not really.

I wish Denise Djokic would get a chance to record them, posted on October 25, 2009 at 12:35:53
Chris from Lafayette
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It's strange that so many babe violinists have recorded the unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas, but hardly any babe cellists have recorded the unaccompanied Suites.

Matt Haimovitz on Oxingale..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 12:02:21
musetap
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Fresh, vibrant, passionate and inventive yet respectful. Beautifully recorded too. A different approach from Fournier's...

My favorite remains the 1992 Starker version (his fourth recording of the suites) released in 1997 on RCA.

The recent Martin Zeller on M*A recordings (vol. 1) is also enlightening.

“ Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination. ” -Michael McClure
RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on October 25, 2009 at 11:31:03
Bob Neill
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 Well the most different light might be Rostropovich or Schiff. For a competitive version in the same light, try Anne Gastinel.

Rostropovich, posted on October 25, 2009 at 15:23:22
Jon L
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 I really do think a lot of our preferences are shaped due to which recording we listened to a lot in the beginning. Since I got used to Rostropovich, listening to other versions, including most of the recommended ones here, just seems "wrong" and invokes anxiety. I'm sure many here feel the same about their own favorites.

Must agree., posted on October 25, 2009 at 17:48:18
jimbill
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 I had Fournier first and couldn't afford to buy another version. I had too much new stuff to buy first.

He was/is still my standard.

I felt the same way about about Grumiaux and the solo violin pieces. Then years later I bought the Milstein. I still held Grumiaux higher in my mind until I did a comparison for my daughter to show her the importance of interpretation. I had to admit to myself that the Milstein was as good if not better.

You really must hear the Casals..., posted on October 25, 2009 at 11:28:11
M. Lucky
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 ... at some point. If you're new to classical, you may not be aware of his pioneering 1930s recordings, which have been out on many different labels. Many credit his recordings as having changed the general perception of these works from one of technical exercises for cellists to masterpiece status. Can't vouch for that, but I can say that everyone who loves these works owes it to him/herself to hear the Casals, which are much more Romantic and personalized than Fournier. In any case, it will certainly offer an alternative view, providing you can up with '30s mono, which actually sounds pretty good in the Naxos transfer.

Those two are probably the two best versions I know, although the recent recording by Queyras is perhaps my current favorite. FWIW, I haven't liked either of the Wispelweys--not crazy about his tone, and his phrasing can seem fussy to me. I've also heard the Starker and Tortelier, which have their moments but to me aren't as good as the first three mentioned.

RE: You really must hear the Casals...Agreed, almost ALWAYS nt, posted on November 3, 2009 at 15:51:49
goldenthal
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 n

Pieter Wispelwey, posted on October 25, 2009 at 10:34:01
jimbill
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 On Channel Classics.

More moody and measured. I like Fournier during the day and Wispelwey late at night.

I second Wispelway., posted on October 25, 2009 at 10:52:37
Sigmund
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 Very consistent and intuitive.

I am surprised that no one has suggested the Janos Starker version, posted on October 25, 2009 at 09:32:20
Raiderman
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 The Speakers Corner reissue is very nice on vinyl.

The Starker (Mercury) version is a classic of course, posted on October 25, 2009 at 10:03:48
Chris from Lafayette
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 He's inconsistent on repeats, but I still love his combination of energy and depth (without the rhythmic shenanigans of other cellists I won't name!), and his intonation is very much in accord with my idea of what it should be. (I have the SACD incarnation.)

C'mon, Chris. Don't wimp out. Name those rhythmic shenanigists :-) nt, posted on October 25, 2009 at 12:11:11
Rick W
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 nt

Generally, I don't like to rain on other people's parades, posted on October 25, 2009 at 12:37:51
Chris from Lafayette
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 But at least one rhythmic shenanigist is mentioned as a recommendation in this thread. :-)

Don't worry about it, posted on October 25, 2009 at 16:22:09
rbolaw
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 You could easily be referring to Casals, or to someone who was strongly influenced by Casals, like Paul Tortelier. No matter. The cello suites are an elusive target -- Starker recorded them five times. I think there will always be a wide variety of approaches, and opinions.

Very, very good guess!, posted on October 25, 2009 at 17:54:09
Chris from Lafayette
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 But, as your post makes clear, I'm not the only one aware of this kind of playing. :-)

RE: Bach Cello Suites ~ Paolo Beschi, posted on October 25, 2009 at 08:06:31
theromium
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 Paolo Beschi on the Winter & Winter label.

Absolutely..., posted on October 26, 2009 at 06:19:47
jbcortes
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 Definitely the one to try if one wants to shed a new light on these pieces.
Sound is not exactly warm but it's a rather fascination version.

Byslma on Sony, posted on October 25, 2009 at 08:03:37
Thornhill
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 It sounds totally different with the lack of vibrato, use of baroque bow, and baroque bowing.

RE: Bach Cello Suites, posted on October 25, 2009 at 07:25:10
jazz1
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 I also have Casals and Mischa Maisky, but Fournier is the one I tend to go back too. The DG recording is also superb.

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