The Bach Cello Suites - Further Versions ?

[gamba]

There are recordings for almost every known instrument !!

[MickyD]

There is also this HIP version by Roel Dieltiens, his second to date, I believe:

http://www.amazon.fr/Int%C3%A9grale-Suites-pour-violoncelle-Jean-S%C3%A9bastien/dp/B003XKDF9W/ref=sr_1_2?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1363960854&sr=1-2

[Flosshilde]

How did the squirrels like it?

They went nuts over it.

[Flosshilde]

I only have Paul Tortelier butam happy with him, although not Baroque I'm afraid.

I have PT on vinyl, so haven't listened to them for many years. Otherwise I have them on CD by Ralph Kirshbaum, who hasn't been mentioned so far. I always enjoy listening to them (well, it would have to be a dire performance for me not to enjoy this wonderful music) but I'd be interested in the views of the real experts here

[Wensleydale Blue]

Gamba - possibly not Bylsma? - he too has recorded them more than once, I believe, but I find him very wayward with the rhythm to the point of being annoying. For a HIPP version, try Jaap ter Linden on baroque cello, with the 6th performed on a 5-stringed Amati instrument. Recommended by Andrew Manze in a survey a while back, and I love it.

Starker was the first version I ever heard - a friend played me his 6th (no idea which recording, it was on LP, circa 1970) and it took my breath away, I was an instant convert. I now have the Mercury Living Presence CDs recorded in 1963 and 1965 - may well be the version I heard originally. That and the Tortelier (1961) make up my 3 versions!

PS I also like what I've heard of Wispelwey's Bach, but no idea which version it was!,

Like Richard I have the Jaap ter Linden set, along with Peter Wispelway's second version, Starker's cheap RCA set and one by Yo Yo Ma, and I like them pretty much in that order. The JtL is simply wonderful, beautifully played with a gorgeous instrumental sound. Its invariably the one I choose to listen to on a lovely summer's day or conversely when I am feeling down and need to remember how good things in life can occassionally be. It should really be much better known.

It was a pure fluke that I got to hear it as my wife bought it with money from an insurance payout after our car was broken into and a Rostropovich set went west.

The PW is similar but not quite as achingly beautiful while the JS is very different and somehow, to my ears, quite severe in approach. The YYM never gets a look in!

[BBMmk2]

Noone here as yet, has yet mentioned Mstislav Rostropovich's classic EMI recording? I love it! But the ones that have mentioned artists on Prestoclassical look rather tempting!!

[Thropplenoggin]

Noone here as yet, has yet mentioned Mstislav Rostropovich's classic EMI recording? I love it! But the ones that have mentioned artists on Prestoclassical look rather tempting!!

I believe the OP was looking for a HIP version, BBM.

[MickyD]

I'm a bit puzzled by the aforementioned Jaap ter Linden set - I notice that he did it for Harmonia Mundi some years ago, but I also now see that a set by him is available on Brilliant Classics - is this the old HM set reincarnated, or a second take? Can anyone help?

[Thropplenoggin]

I'm a bit puzzled by the aforementioned Jaap ter Linden set - I notice that he did it for Harmonia Mundi some years ago, but I also now see that a set by him is available on Brilliant Classics - is this the old HM set reincarnated, or a second take? Can anyone help?

All is revealed here, Micky.

http://www.allmusic.com/album/bach-cello-suites-mw0001869344

The Brilliant is a second, later performance. The linked review seems to prefer the earlier HM one.

[MickyD]

Thanks for that link, Thropps, and solving the mystery for me. It looks like an interesting site for future reference, too.

[Barbirollians]

I have the first Bylsma and have always thought it very fine . Albeit that the Fournier remains my first choice.

[BBMmk2]

I do prefer the nonHIPP recordings here. Seem to have morer depth of sound.

[salymap]

Off topic but might interest gamba. Augener/Galliard were to publish the Tortelier Bach
Cello Suites and PT was a frequent visitor to our top floor office, leaving his cello propped up by the counter three floors below.

These were pre computer days and PT was very hard to pin down before they went for printing. He would come in with the latest proofs and say that he had discovered new fingering on one page and phrasing etc on another and 'Oh please, it is sooo important'.
Augener were sold and I think his edition was published by Stainer & Bell in the end.

Sorry, off topic but.....

[gamba]

salymap,

Thanks for your comments on the actual sheet music for the suites. I have 2 versions, one I play from in my so-called ' music-room ' & another in the living room for occasional study. The first is about 50 years old, battered & stained BUT ! the paper does lie flat. The Augener/ Galliard is dark blue & beige. The other is traditional Stainer & Bell, very bright cherry red & does not show any inclination to lie flat. Both very useful.

They are identical with regard to all markings. Also for containing the remarkably well-informed & interesting notes on structure & phrasing, nuances,bowing, glissandi, shifting & general interpretation.

Thanks again for your interesting remarks on the ' great man ' himself.

With all good wishes

gamba

[salymap]

Thanks gamba, the Augener/Galliard crept through our printing works just before the end I expect, and, as you say, the Stainer and Bell is just a reprint.

best wishes, salymap