Bach (Johann Sebastian) Cello Suites, by Pablo Casals ★★★★, Pierre Fournier ★★★★★, Yo Ma-Ma ★★★★★, Lynn Harrell ★★★★★, Boris Pergamenshikow ★★★★, Jap Ter Linden ★★★★, Mstislav Rostropovich ★★★.
The Bach Cello suites were brought to light by Pablo Casals, who essentially defined the modern interpretation of these suites. Prior to Casals, the cello suites were viewed as nothing but petty exercises for students. Then, why would anybody imagine that. Even the student pieces of Bach are charming. When we think of student pieces, we imagine Schaum piano graded pieces, or the Czerny finger exercises (more like torture) for the budding pianist, and certainly NOT melodic. So, even if Bach did write these originally as student exercises (which I doubt), they have enough charm to be worthy of repeated listenings and performances. The interpretations tended to vary. First, Casals was given a star off, since the recording was poor, with multiple record scratch marks coming through. The sound was phonographic, but also a bit distant. Fournier, Ma-Ma, and Harrell all had superb recordings that reflected the joy that these pieces seem to exude. Pergamenshikow gave a surprisingly excellent recording, very light and joyous, dancelike, and with a very crisp, clean recording. He is a cellist to keep ones eye on. Ter Linden also was a superb interpreter, a little slower and somber in presentation, and the recordings were made a touch softer. Unfortunately, I had to give Rostropovich only three stars. The recording was okay, but the performance made these pieces sound like funeral dirges. Bach labeled them all with dance names, like Allemande, Courante, Bouree, Sarabond, Minuet, and Gigue, all of which were lively dances and whom most people would have been familiar in Bach’s time. Rostropovich is a most capable performer, and other recorded works definitely tend to shine. I’m not sure what he was thinking in these performances. I will soon be reviewing a book on the cello suites, recommended by Dr. Leitz. These are must listen to pieces that are worth one obtaining a bit of familiarity with.
