Topic: [Desert Island]Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin vs Suites for Solo Cello

[Keemun]

Definitely the Cello Suites, and probably Fournier.   The Violin Partitas give me a headache (literally).

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I have to go with the Suites for Cello.  My favorite is Paolo Beschi on Winter & Winter.

Cello suites.

And, yes, Beschi is such an amazing advocate for these works.

[Florestan]

Cello 'n' Casals all the way!

[Franco]

Okay, after listening to both the Cello Suites (Fournier) and the Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas (Podger), I can now say that I would prefer the violin pieces to the cello set.

The sound of the violin, at least from Rachel Podger, is enchantingly beuatiful, and lighter, not as dark as the cello - which all adds up to my ear becoming less tired from extended listening, which, on a desert island, would be an issue.

[DavidW]

The sound of the violin, at least from Rachel Podger, is enchantingly beuatiful, and lighter, not as dark as the cello - which all adds up to my ear becoming less tired from extended listening, which, on a desert island, would be an issue.

I think that in general treble-y music is more exhausting to listen to.  Listening to solo violin music is easily fatiguing while the same can't be said for the cello.

[DavidW]

In fact I was thinking of it more, and to me I think why I dislike those famous solo violin works is that the violin by itself is simply too bright, listening to only it is simply too exhausting.  I think that's why it's usually coupled with something bassy to give a fuller range.  Violin sonata = violin & piano, string quartet = cello in the mix, piano trio= piano and cello, orchestra=well duh!

Now a piano stands on it's own easily because of it's full range, it doesn't assault the ears with the aggressive forward sound a violin makes, nor is it stuck with a dark sound like the cello.  No it offers the world in one instrument, it's the only I can think of that can really hold it's own.

[Franco]

I think that in general treble-y music is more exhausting to listen to.  Listening to solo violin music is easily fatiguing while the same can't be said for the cello.

Obviously, we disagree.

 

[George]

In fact I was thinking of it more, and to me I think why I dislike those famous solo violin works is that the violin by itself is simply too bright, listening to only it is simply too exhausting. 

Absolutely.

Now a piano stands on it's own easily because of it's full range, it doesn't assault the ears with the aggressive forward sound a violin makes, nor is it stuck with a dark sound like the cello.  No it offers the world in one instrument, it's the only I can think of that can really hold it's own.

Piano is king! 

[Opus106]

Okay, after listening to both the Cello Suites (Fournier) and the Solo Violin Sonatas & Partitas (Podger), I can now say that I would prefer the violin pieces to the cello set.

The sound of the violin, at least from Rachel Podger, is enchantingly beuatiful, and lighter, not as dark as the cello - which all adds up to my ear becoming less tired from extended listening, which, on a desert island, would be an issue.

Interesting exercise: to compare two HIP sets with one another, and then two non-HIP/old-school sets.

[Opus106]

No it offers the world in one instrument, it's the only I can think of that can really hold it's own.

The organ!

King Harry already declared it as the Master of all Instruments.

[Florestan]

Now a piano stands on it's own easily because of it's full range, it doesn't assault the ears with the aggressive forward sound a violin makes, nor is it stuck with a dark sound like the cello.  No it offers the world in one instrument, it's the only I can think of that can really hold it's own.

Organ and guitar as well. 

[Franco]

Snare drum, actually.

Don't believe me - try it yourself.


 

[DavidW]

Right, yeah I will add the organ to the list, didn't think of that.

[ChamberNut]

David/Franco,

Why don't you compromise and take half of each set of suites, both played by the Viola! 

[DavidW]

David/Franco,

Why don't you compromise and take half of each set of suites, both played by the Viola! 

That sounds like a good compromise.

[Opus106]

That sounds like a good compromise.

The Desert Island Rules are, of course, uncompromising.

[ChamberNut]

The Desert Island Rules are, of course, uncompromising.

Rules are meant to be broken!  Let chaos rule!!! 

[Wanderer]

Neither!  

I'd rather be stranded in the company of the keyboard music and the cantatas.

[Lethevich]

I can't pretend to be very knowledgable with Bach, but these two works are my favourites of his. As nice as the violin pieces are, if forced to pick one, the cello suites become a natural choice due to the perfect balance of the six - each one an incredible piece of music, with diverse moods and perfect contrasts.

[henry]

Definitely the violin suites/sonatas!

Violin all the way!!