Bach Cello Suites

[Selig]

Interestingly, Hackett's work itself draws from Bach's Prelude from Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007...

I believe every piece on the 3rd CD is related to the suites in one way or another. I'd call them curiosities, not essential listening. The Bach interpretations are refreshing though!

[Mandryka]

Should I take the fact that it is on 3 discs as signaling slow tempos?

In 5 he's too fast for me - kind of like Bylsma's first recording. I guess the AM manuscript has no implications for tempo. Bylsma is more expansive in the second and third recordings.

[Mandryka]

The first three suites, released in November last year. Very nice 2!

[prémont]

I suppose it is the violin solo music and not the cello suites on violin. But interesting never-the-less.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9746448--bach-300-years-of-solitude

[Mandryka]

I suppose it is the violin solo music and not the cello suites on violin. But interesting never-the-less.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9746448--bach-300-years-of-solitude

It's full of character! I'm looking forward to getting to know it.

[aukhawk]

For Malov in Cello Suite No.6 see this video stream:
https://www.bachvereniging.nl/en/bwv/bwv-1012

[Selig]

This must be one of the strangest Bach recordings ever made. All six suites on double bass, in the original keys. Extremely awkward!

Hartshorne claims to have recorded the suites 4 times, but I could only find one previous release (on Centaur).

(I wonder if he forgot to remove the timestamp from the cover, or if that's part of the joke?)

[prémont]

This must be one of the strangest Bach recordings ever made. All six suites on double bass, in the original keys. Extremely awkward!

Hartshorne claims to have recorded the suites 4 times, but I could only find one previous release (on Centaur).

(I wonder if he forgot to remove the timestamp from the cover, or if that's part of the joke?)

Recordings of the cello suites on double bass are not that rare. I have the above-mentioned on Centaur and another complete set (forgot the name of the musician) and three or four recordings with 2 - 4 suites.

Other than that there is one more complete set (Gary Karr IIRC)and this: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9503097--bach-cello-suites

I don't know the two last mentioned.

[Kalevala]

The first three suites, released in November last year. Very nice 2!

I hadn't heard of him before now.  Googling his name, it sounds like he enjoys playing quite the range of musical genres.  Have you listened to the whole CD yet?

K

[Selig]

Recordings of the cello suites on double bass are not that rare. I have the above-mentioned on Centaur and another complete set (forgot the name of the musician) and three or four recordings with 2 - 4 suites.

Other than that there is one more complete set (Gary Karr IIRC)and this: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9503097--bach-cello-suites

I don't know the two last mentioned.

I knew of some partial sets - Edgar Meyer being probably the most well-known - but didn't realize there were multiple other complete sets.    I'll listen to some excerpts tomorrow...

[JBS]

Recordings of the cello suites on double bass are not that rare. I have the above-mentioned on Centaur and another complete set (forgot the name of the musician) and three or four recordings with 2 - 4 suites.

Other than that there is one more complete set (Gary Karr IIRC)and this: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/9503097--bach-cello-suites

I don't know the two last mentioned.

Product not found
We are sorry, but the Classical product with ID: 9503097 is not available in your location.

Is that Presto listing for a download? If so it's apparently not available here in the US.

[Mandryka]

I hadn't heard of him before now.  Googling his name, it sounds like he enjoys playing quite the range of musical genres.  Have you listened to the whole CD yet?

K

No, just the first partita and sonata - with great pleasure.

[prémont]

Product not found
We are sorry, but the Classical product with ID: 9503097 is not available in your location.

Is that Presto listing for a download? If so it's apparently not available here in the US.

Yes, it's a download and available here in Denmark.

Clips don't sound that convincing - though.

[Mandryka]

A particularly moving performance of the 5th suite from Colin Carr in 1994 - moving because of its simplicity and austerity. 

[prémont]

A particularly moving performance of the 5th suite from Colin Carr in 1994 - moving because of its simplicity and austerity. 

I consider both Carr (live-)recordings of these suites to be among the best ever made by anyone.

[bioluminescentsquid]

Considering how there was some commotion over the description pre-release in the other thread, I am surprised that no one has commented on William Skeen's suites since its release. I actually highly disliked it on first listen, found it to be boring, indifferent, stilted, half-assed sight-reading, spiritually lacking etc. etc. But now I like how straightforward it is. I had the same experience with Hidemi Suzuki's recording as well, but this one felt even more challenging.

[AnotherSpin]

Considering how there was some commotion over the description pre-release in the other thread, I am surprised that no one has commented on William Skeen's suites since its release. I actually highly disliked it on first listen, found it to be boring, indifferent, stilted, half-assed sight-reading, spiritually lacking etc. etc. But now I like how straightforward it is. I had the same experience with Hidemi Suzuki's recording as well, but this one felt even more challenging.

I like Hidemi Suzuki's recording. To me, it's not boring, detached, or overly restrained — I hear it differently. There's a calm clarity in his playing, something modest and unpretentious. It's not about showing off or making dramatic gestures, but about letting the music breathe on its own. What some might hear as flat sight-reading feels more like a deliberate step back — a quiet presence that leaves space for the listener. And if the spirituality isn't obvious, perhaps it's simply more inward, more private.

If William Skeen's version is along the same lines, then I'm willing to give it a listen

[Mandryka]

I like Hidemi Suzuki's recording. To me, it's not boring, detached, or overly restrained — I hear it differently. There's a calm clarity in his playing, something modest and unpretentious. It's not about showing off or making dramatic gestures, but about letting the music breathe on its own. What some might hear as flat sight-reading feels more like a deliberate step back — a quiet presence that leaves space for the listener. And if the spirituality isn't obvious, perhaps it's simply more inward, more private.

If William Skeen's version is along the same lines, then I'm willing to give it a listen

Did you hear Hidemi Suzuki's second recording? I prefer it in fact

https://www.discogs.com/release/10257497-J-S-Bach-Hidemi-Suzuki-6-Suites-For-Violoncello-Solo?srsltid=AfmBOopjPz26uv6XG4dok4FXRvaIp22Aw_fBwpfs83L7xI73r8CmLehv

[AnotherSpin]

Did you hear Hidemi Suzuki's second recording? I prefer it in fact

https://www.discogs.com/release/10257497-J-S-Bach-Hidemi-Suzuki-6-Suites-For-Violoncello-Solo?srsltid=AfmBOopjPz26uv6XG4dok4FXRvaIp22Aw_fBwpfs83L7xI73r8CmLehv

Thank you, interesting.

[prémont]

Did you hear Hidemi Suzuki's second recording? I prefer it in fact

https://www.discogs.com/release/10257497-J-S-Bach-Hidemi-Suzuki-6-Suites-For-Violoncello-Solo?srsltid=AfmBOopjPz26uv6XG4dok4FXRvaIp22Aw_fBwpfs83L7xI73r8CmLehv

Yes, I also prefer the Suzuki II to the Suzuki I. One can say that the austerity is more consistently implemented in the Suzuki II.