Blind comparison: Bach Cello Suites

[prémont]

That's absolutely fine - there are no rules, different people have different criterea and I think gut response is just as good as any other.

By the way it would be good to get to 5 votes per group before moving to the final, and it's obviously going to take a while yet, so if anyone who has already voted would like to hear the other group please let me know, and I'll gladly PM you the links.

You are welcome to send the items from Group H to me.
Thanks in advance.

[jfdrex]

aukhawk ~

I just want to apologize for my absence from this group over the past few weeks, and for my failure to vote in round 1.  A family crisis, followed immediately by a winter illness, have kept me from participating in this exercise (and from much else, both on- and off-line) during the past several weeks...

For what it's worth, belatedly, my reactions to the round 1 F group somewhat mirror Jens Laurson's.  In fact, of the six recordings in that group, F2 was the only performance I found wholly satisfying, and I'm pleased to see that it survived the round.

If you need two extra ears to help fill out a group in the current round, I will be happy to lend mine, and will strive to be a more faithful listener/participant going forward.

Regards,

John

[prémont]

My votes for second round Group H:

1) This is a period instrument, but the interpretation is hopeless with utterly mannered agogics. I think it is Angela East, who's Bach suites have got that kind of reputation. IMO the worst of the five in Group H.

2) When I listened to this in Group E, I suggested Queyras, calling it imaginative playing full of life, and I think I shall maintain that judgement. One of the best in Group H.

3) The allemande is dragging and sentimental, certainly not my favorite. I have only heard one, who plays in that way -  Alexander Kniazev.

4) Obviously a great virtuoso, favoring motion and dancing, without digging too deep into the music. Might be Heinrich Schiff.

5) Violoncello da spalla. Listening to this in Group E  I suggested S. Kuijken, but I think this suite here is played with more "raw" expression, than I remember Kuijken does. It is definitely not Terakado, so that leaves Dmitri Badiarov.

My voting:   H2 = H5 > H4 >>> H3 > H1

[aukhawk]

Thanks :premont: , and John you have PM - I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles, and hope things are improving now, for you and yours.  No need for apologies ever - people drop in and out all the time, for all sorts of reasons - I've sent you links but hey, no pressure 
Oh - and you'll be pleased the know that F2 (as was) is currently leading in this round, and so is very likely to make it into the final.

The allemande is dragging and sentimental, certainly not my favorite.

I must admit I was kinda hoping (and expecting) this one wouldn't get to this round, where the allemande was bound to find it out.  Meanwhile, Beschi and Gaillard and Bylsma have already been cast out into the void, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth ... 

[mszczuj]

H5>H2>H1>H4>H3

H5 is the only I'm satisfied enough to be sure it deserved to be in the final.

[jfdrex]

John you have PM - I'm very sorry to hear of your troubles, and hope things are improving now, for you and yours.  No need for apologies ever - people drop in and out all the time, for all sorts of reasons - I've sent you links but hey, no pressure 

Oh - and you'll be pleased the know that F2 (as was) is currently leading in this round, and so is very likely to make it into the final.

Aukhawk, many thanks for your kind words, and for the links.  I've already listened to a few of them and have found my spirits greatly raised by at least one in particular.  Rankings and comments to follow in due course.

Cheers,

John

[jlaurson]

I've got plenty of comments but I need to do more listening. Even burnt a CD to make sure I don't have to listen via  computer's soundcard-DAC. Although that's not quite as convenient, with three tracks shunted onto a second CD and not participating in the shuffle-mode. None are outright bad now... that's nice.

[kishnevi]

Finally, ready to vote.  Close call, needed several listens in varying order to decide which I liked best, and even then it was mostly a "gut" decision based on overall feel.
First place. G5
Second place. G3 and G4 (tie)
Fourth place.  G1 and G2 (tie)

[aukhawk]

Thanks Jeffrey.  G5 has been placed top twice and plumb last once (as has H5) - it's a funny old world.
I'll await one more vote for each group, or a deadline of the end of next weekend, whichever comes the sooner, before moving on to the final.  At the moment 2nd to 5th are all very close, with a largeish gap to 6th, and it's looked that way for a while as the voting developed. So we may well end up with 5 in the final round, instead of 4.

I'd also like to mention at this stage, that if anyone out there has got another blind comparison planned and has been holding off - please feel free to get started, with only the final to go here I doubt if we'd stall in the face of competition at this stage.

[mszczuj]

...is the only I'm satisfied enough to be sure it deserved to be in the final.

I've just realized that for uknown reasons I wrote F for H in my vote, so I've edited it.

[jlaurson]

H1: Sounds a little extrovert. Good sound. A little deliberate. Squeezes top notes just a wee bit. Different, never annoying. I have my suspicions... but I'm really glad that I've managed to keep this totally blind, so far. Good, worthy, not quite top notch for everyday listening. Rips the notes in the Courante  more than necessary. Yes, today this is too much for me, although I'm not really complaining, mind you.
No.4

H2: Track 2. Hello! I'm dancing in my chair. Love it. Has teeth, too... digs in, dig it. Ought to be a top contender. Superfluid, superb forward momentum, nuance...  A bit tinny and fast on Track four, but with juice and drive.
No.1

H3: Compared to H2 nasal, Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Nothing is bad, so far, but the relative differences are there... and this one does not win out on first listening. Track 6: tum-tum-tum... accentuated or hacked? Rhythmic or in-your-face? Notable, not to dislike. Just a little harder around the edges than the rest of the bunch. No, it does something for me... the dancing lilt of the Gavotte makes up for much. If this is not the last entry, it's because others slipped behind it for some reason There's much to merit inclusion in the next group... but perhaps just not enough? Doesn't deserve last place... but I wish to distinguish a little, between these. No.4

H4: Compares nicely. Bit spacious, aged acoustic, but heck, it's well played. But not 100% intonation-secure. There was a descending figure that rather loosened where it shouldn't have. Noticeable every time. A little eager, like a squirrel hopping onto the next branch at times. Nothing impressive at first, but even then one feels there's something good going on. Some furiously fast passages... my good, does he need to catch the bus? Not that I'm complaining. But almost doesn't fit to some of the other impression. I like how it continues. Anyway, in an less-than-impressive way this impresses and needs to move no. Yes, absolutely... listening to the Courante again, tight notes notwithstanding, this will be ranked high by me in this round. Even though the Gavotte here isn't nearly as nice as in H3. Damn.
No.2

H5: Consistently fails to move me; partly lacking concentration, I suppose... but this merely good. I don't like the Prelude and Allemande (a little indistinct at this tempo) as much as the Courante, which I think is very elegant. OK... the Gavotte, overtly powerful, has something to say. Lithe, in part because of the acoustic. Interesting touch and interesting sound. Damned, now this is bobbing up again.
No.3

H1 = Rank 4   Rank 1 = H2
H2 = Rank 1   Rank 2 = H4
H3 = Rank 4    Rank 3 = H5
H4 = Rank 2    Rank 4 = H3
H5 = Rank 3    Rank 4 = H1

[prémont]

I'll await one more vote for each group, or a deadline of the end of next weekend, whichever comes the sooner, before moving on to the final.

That´s a long time to wait. 

[aukhawk]

Ideally I just need another vote in Group G.   Jo498  and  xochitl  have links but I expect real life has got in the way.  If anyone else can take it on I'd be very grateful.  Otherwise we'll move on and you'll have the results of this round on Monday March 30th.

Jlaurson, very interesting and perceptive comments, thanks.  Your votes have largely confirmed the status quo in Group H.

[Pat B]

You don't necessarily have to wait for me, but I am working through group H. I can probably vote on Wednesday.

[jlaurson]

Ideally I just need another vote in Group G.   Jo498  and  xochitl  have links but I expect real life has got in the way.  If anyone else can take it on I'd be very grateful.  Otherwise we'll move on and you'll have the results of this round on Monday March 30th.

Jlaurson, very interesting and perceptive comments, thanks.  Your votes have largely confirmed the status quo in Group H.

Starting tomorrow, listening will be easier for me, so I could turn it around, most likely, by the end of this week.

[aukhawk]

jlaurson, PM sent - but no pressure 

Pat, that's great, I'll look forward to your vote.

[xochitl]

G4=G1>G5=G3>G2

G4 - this feels like a confession, exultant but with all kinds of shadows around it.  i was impelled to concentrate for the entire length of this
G1 - old, rickety, wobbly, distilled soul! i know this one. still holds up.
G5 - trying too hard, but still pretty good
G3 - very well done. mirror sheen on that tone and pinpoint dexterity gotta count for something
G2 - on a good day i'd say this was 'probing for an alternate approach'. right now it just sounds aimless and endlessly beating you over the head

[aukhawk]

Thanks, that's very helpful.
G2 - by the way - was the outright top scorer in the previous round, out of 18 recordings.  But he was always doomed because he makes a complete Horlicks** of the Suite 6 Prelude.  So sad.

(** popular cricketing expression here in the UK - e.g. batsman misses ball and falls backwards onto his own wicket - "Oh, he made a complete Horlicks of that" followed by ill-concealed off-mic sniggering.)

Right, I have a clear final 4 - but since I've recently sent some links out I'll close the voting on Thursday 26th March, end of the day US time - and post the results on Friday, followed by the links for the final round to everyone who has voted in this round (and anyone else who wants to join in).  Depending on any votes to come in, the final 4 could still become a final 5, or the 4th place could change, so further votes are still welcome.

[mszczuj]

I'll close the voting on Thursday 26th March, end of the day US time

So could I ask for G Group links?

[aligreto]

Here is my vote for Group G in order of my preference:

G5 - 1
G4 - 2
G3 - 3
G1 - 4
G2 - 5