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LivyII said:
Ostertag on Coviello is the recording to hear.
Baroque cello or modern? Why don't you give us a brief review?
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Post by Beagle September 15, 2008 (12 of 15)
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Windsurfer said: Baroque cello or modern?
Judging from the cover art, modern.
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Post by carrja September 15, 2008 (13 of 15)
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Beagle said:
Judging from the cover art, modern.
The booklet in the Ostertag set has no mention of his cello or the bow. I inferred from listening and from the notes that he uses a modern cello. It is an interesting set; tempi are fast but not exceptionally so when compared to many sets. Well recorded SACD in my opinion; sounds fine on headphones too.
I have not unfortunately heard the Suzuki. It is in the mail however. Give me a couple of days to get a feel for it. Musician friends including a cellist tell me it is quite good in terms of sound and musicianship.
I bought the Lipkind set because he is a fine cellist, because I seem to buy any and all recordings of the Bach suites, and because the packaging was excellent. He has obviously thought long and hard about these suites, and the set is well worth listening to. He ornaments each piece freely; I am not sure how well-informed they are in terms of the authenticity movement. However the ornamentation does grow tiresome because of its predictability after multiple hearings; and sometimes I sense the tempi for some pieces are slow. I longed for the "straight" interpretations of other cellists. I do see myself coming back to this set over time.
I came to these suites via Starker. This is my recommendation to all who want an SACD version of the suites. Ostertag runs a very close second.
I have many versions of the suites. My favorites: on SACD Starker, Ostertag. Others not on SACD to my knowledge: Wispelway (on baroque cello and violoncello piccolo, very unfortunate to not be on SACD given all that he has made), Jean-Guihen Queyras (Harmonia Mundi - this young man knows how to play these suites), Pierre Fournier (excellent set recorded in the 60's by DG), Paul Tortelier, Casals (old fashioned but he started it all), Mstislav Rostropovich, Truls Mork.
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Post by LivyII September 16, 2008 (14 of 15)
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Beagle said:
Judging from the cover art, modern.
I also believe this is a modern cello, judging from the pictures and sound. In terms of performance, most of the suites are played spritely, without a great deal of introspection. Clearly Ostertag sees them as dance suites, not pieces for extended meditations. In only a few places do I wish for a little more relaxed tempi.
The sound on the disc is fantastic, especially the MC layer, which is rich, detailed, yet still has depth and reverb from the studio (Hans Rosbaud - Studio, I believe, I'm going from memory here) where it was recorded. This may well be one of Coviello's finest efforts, though they are generally very good at the recording end of the business. This is easily a demonstration disc to take to the audio store.
My preference lately has been this disc; in the hall of fame, Paul Tortelier is at the top of the list, followed by the baroque-cello playing Anner Bylsma in his Sony recording. I have grown a little bored by Fournier (heresy though that may be), but I acknowledge his contribution to the growth in popularity of the suites.
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Post by andrewb September 17, 2008 (15 of 15)
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It seems unfair to compare the Suzuki and Ostertag recordings, the first is at baroque or period pitch with a style that can be regarded as reasonably close to that used at the period of composition; while the Ostertag account is at modern pitch and makes relatively little attempt to accord with the historical style of playing.
The resulting lower bass and style of the Suzuki set tends to spread the notes, emphasising the sombre and melancholic side of the suites at the expense of their dance like qualities. The Ostertag playing is much lighter, the notes shorter, more detached, presenting a more precise sound; the lines are frequently songful with the music's dance characteristics being brought out.
The Suzuki set is very fine and enjoyable and is more accurate in historical terms. The Ostertag set plays the music and attempts liitle more, but Ostertag's excellent playing is more varied than Suzuki and wonderfully exhibits the many different shades of these suites.
In making a choice between them one should first ask the question: does one want a modern or period style account? Then compare like for like.
However, disregarding that, if I could only have one set it would be the Ostertag.
I have not heard the Lipkind, its very high price compared to other sets is rather off-putting.
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