Our Summer BAL 14: Bach's Suites for Solo Cello (Merged threads)

[Parry1912]

I seem to remember a few years ago, that the BaL recco was Yo Yo Ma.

Which one? 80s or 90s?

[visualnickmos]

Your old Slavs set. Would that be the Supraphon?

No, the EMI (I didn't know he'd made a set on the Czech label)

[visualnickmos]

Which one? 80s or 90s?

80s or 90s? I haven't a clue.

[Bryn]

No, the EMI (I didn't know he'd made a set on the Czech label)

1955 Prague 'live' performances issued a couple of years ago on Supraphon.

[verismissimo]

For me it has to be Pierre Fournier.

Somewhat off piste, I like the story told by Fournier's son Jean, when Fournier and Gulda were recording Beethoven sonatas:

Suddenly Gulda stopped playing and said to my father: "Very beautiful, but very French." Fournier's deadpan reply: "For Schnabel and Kempff it did not sound Gallic." Gulda laughed, and in that moment a lifelong friendship had begun.

BTW their Beethoven is superb.

[pastoralguy]

Somewhat off piste, I like the story told by Fournier's son Jean, when Fournier and Gulda were recording Beethoven sonatas:

Suddenly Gulda stopped playing and said to my father: "Very beautiful, but very French." Fournier's deadpan reply: "For Schnabel and Kempff it did not sound Gallic." Gulda laughed, and in that moment a lifelong friendship had begun.

BTW their Beethoven is superb.

Yes, he was a wonderful player. A friend heard him play him play the Elgar concerto at the Edinburgh Festival and said the tears were running down his cheek in the slow movement.

[Barbirollians]

Fournier.

[cloughie]

Just out of interest when listening to Bach's Cello Suites how many would listeners do at a session. I'm not sure I'd go for more than one. I find the cello a melancholic, and yes often dreary instrument to listen to for any length of time. On two occasions yesterday I tuned into R3 to find the cello - Bach at lunchtime and Faure after the afternoon prom repeat - on both occasions I thought I don't need this at the moment and switched channels. Maybe my loss but perhaps it was the wrong time.

[Tony Halstead]

Yes, he was a wonderful player. A friend heard him play him play the Elgar concerto at the Edinburgh Festival and said the tears were running down his cheek in the slow movement.

If that's the same performance that I remember ( I'm pretty sure I was in the orchestra) it was about 1967/ 1968.

Fournier had a memory lapse and the very quick-thinking conductor ( Loughran) instantly held the orchestral score in front of the 'lost' cellist, who then found his way in a couple of seconds. The whole incident lasted maybe 7 or 8 seconds.

[verismissimo]

If that's the same performance that I remember ( I'm pretty sure I was in the orchestra) it was about 1967/ 1968.

Fournier had a memory lapse and the very quick-thinking conductor ( Loughran) instantly held the orchestral score in front of the 'lost' cellist, who then found his way in a couple of seconds. The whole incident lasted maybe 7 or 8 seconds.

Love to hear more about Loughran, waldhorn...

[cloughie]

Love to hear more about Loughran, waldhorn...

...me too. I always rated him in his Halle days but not everyone liked him. I think he went on to Munich but he has been off the radar for many a year. I guess he must now be 80+.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I've now merged the two similar threads.

[gamba]

Just out of interest when listening to Bach's Cello Suites how many would listeners do at a session. I'm not sure I'd go for more than one. I find the cello a melancholic, and yes often dreary instrument to listen to for any length of time. On two occasions yesterday I tuned into R3 to find the cello - Bach at lunchtime and Faure after the afternoon prom repeat - on both occasions I thought I don't need this at the moment and switched channels. Maybe my loss but perhaps it was the wrong time.

cloughie,

Why bother listening to even one of his 'cello suites when you could be getting an earful ( sorry, two earfuls ) of Mahler, Bruckner etc. & the the rest of the awful so - called ' Romantic ' period stuff ( except of course for the delightful, imaginative, quite unique & incredible ' Hector.' You'll know who I mean as there's no one else like him.

Try listening to some Boccherini chamber music. He'll make the 'cello sound like a violin - quite astounding, I'm sure you don't mind violins. He wasn't regarded as the greatest 'cellist in the world without good reason.
A lot of 'cellists shy away from his music, it's those very high notes you know. Not only are they often quite unable to reach them but don't like having to go home with their fingers covered in rosin.

Seriously though, I'm not too keen on the flute, a beautiful alto recorder, yes, but that means early music & another subject bound to arouse further differences of opinion. If you wish to hear a 'cello at it's finest listen to a good recording of Handel's ' Ode for St. Cecila's Day, ' the section entitled ' What Passion cannot Musick Raise and Quell.' Preferably the recording with Anthony Rolfe Johnson, 'cellist, Anthony Pleeth, brings tears to the eyes - no kidding !

Good luck, gamba

[MickyD]

The version of that Handel aria with Harnoncourt on the cello and his Concentus Musicus Wien also melts my heart.

[gamba]

MickyD,

At last ! A soulmate !!