Bach Cello Suites

Started by Que, September 14, 2007, 07:39:03 AM

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Marc

Quote from: Bulldog on January 29, 2010, 10:43:26 AM
I don't quite see it that way, at least concerning the "integrity" premise.  It's more of a "comfort zone" approach.  Unfortunately, his comfort zone and mine are miles apart.

I don't play those Rostropovich recordings that much, either. It's not really 'my' JSB.
But it's nice to watch the DVD, with Slava at the piano beforehand, trying to explain all the beauties and some details of the compositions.

premont

Quote from: Scarpia on January 29, 2010, 10:12:25 AM
On a related note, my copy of Fourier's set from DG is a CD release pressed in 1988, I think, the dark days of remastering.  Any impressions from anyone about whether they have done good work remastering this set for current releases?  (It can be obtained very cheaply now, is it worth re-buying?)

Because of the low cost I recently acquired the new release, but I have not made any direct comparison with the 1988 release so far.
γνῶθι σεαυτόν

haydnguy

After reading through this thread, I think I'm going to opt for the Schiff. Going to listen to different samples and unless another really strikes me, I think Schiff is my man at least to start with.

Scarpia

Quote from: haydnguy on January 29, 2010, 05:29:03 PM
After reading through this thread, I think I'm going to opt for the Schiff. Going to listen to different samples and unless another really strikes me, I think Schiff is my man at least to start with.

I think Schiff is my overall first choice, although I like having alternatives.

Bunny

Quote from: Bulldog on January 29, 2010, 10:43:26 AM
I don't quite see it that way, at least concerning the "integrity" premise.  It's more of a "comfort zone" approach.  Unfortunately, his comfort zone and mine are miles apart.

You just can't argue taste.  He's not precisely my cup of tea either.

MN Dave

Thumbs up for Schiff here as well.

Scarpia

#106
Just listened to the first suite by Harnoncourt, a recording made in 1965 or so.  (Available very cheaply on Warner Ultima).  I wouldn't say he is a cello virtuoso, but he has interesting ideas about the phrasing and articulation of this music.  It was probably more unorthodox at the time than it is now.  I like it a lot so far.

In any case, despite the fact that everyone seems to agree that Pergamenschikow doesn't provide "deep insights" (whatever that means) he sounds fascinating to me in the available excerpts (I like the jaunty phrasing) and I have the set on order (a used copy).   I'm also contemplating the Bruns and Queyas sets, both of which are available rather cheap at Berkshire record outlet.

DavidRoss

FYI, BRO just listed Queyras's fine recording for $12. 
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

Scarpia

Quote from: DavidRoss on February 04, 2010, 05:05:09 AM
FYI, BRO just listed Queyras's fine recording for $12.

Yes, I spotted that, both the Queyras and Bruns are on order from Berkshire.

SonicMan46

Quote from: Scarpia on February 04, 2010, 05:48:06 AM
Yes, I spotted that, both the Queyras and Bruns are on order from Berkshire.

Well, I've not thought about additions of these works to my collection for a while - own Rostropovich, Bylsma, and Kuijken; latter on the 'shoulder-cello' or Violoncello da spalla - but the Amazon reviews on Queyras are just fabulous (8/10 5*, including one by Giordano Bruno, who I've trusted in the past); and the price for that set at BRO is unbeatable - may pay them a visit today!  ;D

bassio

My favorite is Steven Isserlis on Hyperion.


Anyone here owns this and has any thoughts about this particular recording?

Also on the top of my list is the older Bylsma recording.

Clever Hans

#111
I think the Kuijken is a must buy, just because it is so fascinating.
They also used those shoulder cellos on Suzuki's latest Brandenburgs, which are the best I've ever heard, especially if you factor in sound quality. So, perhaps we'll be seeing more of them.

Isserlis is a little too light for my taste, although he uses a period instrument with gut strings. I think that recording is over-hyped, as if he is the first cellist to take the dance origins into consideration.

Queyras is a great virtuoso, modern instrument but incorporating baroque style. I think he is better than Isserlis.
Giordano Bruno also loves Ophelie Gaillard on period instrument, but unfortunately her recording is out of print.

Bylsma 1 and 2 are both amazing, even more so when you compare them.

DavidRoss

Quote from: SonicMan on February 04, 2010, 06:05:45 AM
Well, I've not thought about additions of these works to my collection for a while - own Rostropovich, Bylsma, and Kuijken; latter on the 'shoulder-cello' or Violoncello da spalla - but the Amazon reviews on Queyras are just fabulous (8/10 5*, including one by Giordano Bruno, who I've trusted in the past); and the price for that set at BRO is unbeatable - may pay them a visit today!  ;D
Dave, as you may recall from years past, I'm one of many for whom these are linchpins of the repertoire.  The Queyras is the only recording I've purchased in recent years (including the excellent one by Beschi) that I'm as likely to reach for as Fournier or Tortelier.'

(Although there is another from recent years that I enjoy very much, it's not on cello and is not complete:  Edgar Meyer playing suites #1,2,&5 on double bass.)
"Maybe the problem most of you have ... is that you're not listening to Barbirolli." ~Sarge

"The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money." ~Margaret Thatcher

MN Dave

I listen to Casals and Schiff. They keep me pretty happy.  :)

kishnevi

Any opinions on this one


This was the second recording of the suites I purchases--the first being Casals, and I've never been sure about it.  The other recordings I have are Kirschbaum and Ma.

And does anyone have any idea if this one is worth getting (just released this week).

Scarpia

Quote from: kishnevi on February 04, 2010, 01:56:01 PM
And does anyone have any idea if this one is worth getting (just released this week).


I was initially surprised to see a new Telarc release, given that the company was famously dissolved.  But perhaps they are still using the name even though the founders are gone.  The question is whether the recording is produced by the original Telarc recording team and would continue their distinct recording style.

But the short answer, I have no idea.

SonicMan46

Quote from: DavidRoss on February 04, 2010, 10:21:52 AM
Dave, as you may recall from years past, I'm one of many for whom these are linchpins of the repertoire.  The Queyras is the only recording I've purchased in recent years (including the excellent one by Beschi) that I'm as likely to reach for as Fournier or Tortelier.'

(Although there is another from recent years that I enjoy very much, it's not on cello and is not complete:  Edgar Meyer playing suites #1,2,&5 on double bass.)

Hi David - thanks for the support on Queyras - put in an order earlier at BRO for his set (2 CDs; 1 DVD) for $12!  I do own some Edgar Meyer in his non-classical recordings and know that he did some of these suites, but have not heard any to date - might be yet another purchase?  Dave  :)

kishnevi

Quote from: SonicMan on February 04, 2010, 02:35:48 PM
Hi David - thanks for the support on Queyras - put in an order earlier at BRO for his set (2 CDs; 1 DVD) for $12!  I do own some Edgar Meyer in his non-classical recordings and know that he did some of these suites, but have not heard any to date - might be yet another purchase?  Dave  :)

Non Bach recommendation if you like Meyer--he's also composed at least one Quintet which he recorded with the EmersonSQ;  I highly enjoy it; it's companioned on the CD by a quartet by Rorem.

SonicMan46

Quote from: kishnevi on February 04, 2010, 01:56:01 PM
................
And does anyone have any idea if this one is worth getting (just released this week).
 

We saw Zuill Bailey in concert (early last year or the previous fall?) and enjoyed him - picked up a 'general CD'  then; more recently I added the Beethoven Cello Sonatas w/ him & Dinnerstein, which are quite good.  I suspect that he does the Bach well, also - but cannot give an opinion and looking forward to others' thoughts who may have heard these recordings.

BTW, the price at BRO for the Queyras set is hard to beat, and all that own them have uniformly recommended the recordings!  Dave  :)


Tyson

Who has the most energetic presentation of these suites?  Kirschbaum is good, but I don't like Ma, Rostropovich, Schiff, Grendon, Maisky, Starker, Casals, Blysma, and a host of other "deep" interpreters of these works.  Give me the dance!
At a loss for words.