Bach Cello Suites

[bioluminescentsquid]

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.

Yes! Suzuki II was the one I had in mind. Still never got around to enjoying Suzuki I, but it's been a while since I heard it.

[Mandryka]

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

https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Colin_Carr/Colin_Carr_Music_from_the_Isabella_Stewart_Gardner_Museum_Boston/bach_bwv1011/

Here's Colin Carr live with the 5th suite in Boston -- I don't think it's the same as either complete recordings.

It's tricky to download, they didn't send me a conformation email. I used JDownloader, which is itself quite a tricky tool to use. I can let you have it of course.

[prémont]

It's tricky to download, they didn't send me a conformation email. I used JDownloader, which is itself quite a tricky tool to use. I can let you have it of course.

This would of course be kind of you, if it is very tricky to get down.

[Selig]

I liked this suite from Enrico Bronzi. Unfortunately the only way to hear the other suites is to buy the Amadeus magazine!

[hopefullytrusting]

Just came across the best sounding set, production-wise, in my opinion: aromatic, lush, rich, thick.

[Selig]

A gimmick, but a captivating one IMO!

Suite 1: Treble viol
Suite 2: Seven-string bass viol
Suite 3: Four-string cello piccolo
Suite 4: Six-string bass viol
Suite 5: Grand four-string cello
Suite 6: Five-string cello piccolo

[prémont]

A gimmick, but a captivating one IMO!

Suite 1: Treble viol
Suite 2: Seven-string bass viol
Suite 3: Four-string cello piccolo
Suite 4: Six-string bass viol
Suite 5: Grand four-string cello
Suite 6: Five-string cello piccolo

Thanks for bringing attention to this interesting experiment which I shall look forward to. I don't see it as a gimmick - it may bring new insights as to the performance practice of these suites.

[Mandryka]

Booklet for this interesting release here

https://cdn.outhere-music.com/outhere.prod/public/imported/albums/j-s-bach-the-cello-suites-on-six-different-instruments-ram2404-20250912063217-booklet.pdf

(Enjoying the first suite now.)

[prémont]

Booklet for this interesting release here

https://cdn.outhere-music.com/outhere.prod/public/imported/albums/j-s-bach-the-cello-suites-on-six-different-instruments-ram2404-20250912063217-booklet.pdf

(Enjoying the first suite now.)

I was curious to see how he was going to tune all these instruments, particularly in the Es-major suite. As I feared he has chosen to transpose this one to G-major. It's clear to me that Bach by writing the suite in Es-major did want another and less resonant sound from the instrument since this mode makes the playing of chords on open strings virtually impossible and because the open strings when playing in Es-major will resonate less.. By transposing the work to a mode which allows more chordal playing on open strings and allows the open strings to resonate more mr. Kernoa positively disregards Bach's intentions.

[Madiel]

A gimmick, but a captivating one IMO!

Suite 1: Treble viol
Suite 2: Seven-string bass viol
Suite 3: Four-string cello piccolo
Suite 4: Six-string bass viol
Suite 5: Grand four-string cello
Suite 6: Five-string cello piccolo

Well, a few gimmicks. But if I remember correctly that is actually the proper instrument for the 6th suite?

[prémont]

Well, a few gimmicks. But if I remember correctly that is actually the proper instrument for the 6th suite?

The sixth suite is notated with bass key for an instrument with five strings. Maybe a violoncello piccolo held between the legs, maybe a violoncello da spalla held on the shoulder. My opinion is that Bach took both possibilities into account, so it may be considered "authentic" whether one uses the one or the other.