Bach and Yo-Yo Ma

[visualnickmos]

Quite recently I heard a brief extract of some Bach - a few 'snips' of the cello suites with Yo-Yo Ma, and was very taken by what I heard. But, on research his recordings of them, discovered that he has recorded them twice; in the 1980s and then again in the 1990s.

Can anyone enlighten me as to which would be a good recommendation? eg the various particular qualities and strengths (or otherwise) of these sets; Thanks in advance for any learned guidance.

[umslopogaas]

Strangely, given Ma's eminence, neither the 2010 Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music nor the 3rd ed. Rough Guide to Classical Music mention any of his recordings. Penguin recommends Rostropovich on EMI and the Rough Guide favours Starker on Mercury (coupled with viola da gamba sonatas).

Penguin also likes Mork, Isserlis, Schiff, Kliegel and Tortelier. The Rough Guide also likes Bylsma and Casals.

I've always been very happy with Fournier on Archiv LPs, also available on CD.

[Black Swan]

Umslopogaas,

Thanks, I have been thinking of acquiring a Starker set and couldn't decide which one, so will look at the Rough Guide Nomination. I have Rostropovich on EMI.

J

[umslopogaas]

According to the Rough Guide, Starker made several recordings of the Bach suites, but the best was made for EMI in the late 1950s and is only available as part of a six CD set. They therefore recommend the slightly later one on Mercury, which "is still pretty remarkable" and is part of a 2 CD set.

Of course, if you want (and can afford) the other works on the six CD set, that would be the one to go for.

[Ruhevoll]

Hi,

My introduction to Bach's cello suites was via Ma's first recording on Sony Classical: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Unaccom...o+ma+bach+sony

I now prefer Fournier and Tortelier, but remain grateful for Ma's introduction and would recommend them to the newcomer (but Pierre Fournier's set are equally cheap and worthy, too)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Can anyone enlighten me as to which would be a good recommendation? eg the various particular qualities and strengths (or otherwise) of these sets; Thanks in advance for any learned guidance.

I know neither set, but FWiW, the nice reviewers on Amazon give both of Ma's sets the thumbs up - four "5star" & one "4star" for the newer set; five "5star" & one "3star" for the SONY set.

[pastoralguy]

I've always loved the Bach 'cello suites and I have many recordings by both the superstars and the obscure, each giving their own unique insights into this deceptively simple looking music. The one I never return to is Yo Yo Ma's first recording.

I find his intonation to be 'free' - and not in a good way. As my late teacher, Manny Hurwitz, used to tell me (relentlessly!) 'if you're not playing in tune, you're not playing musically'!