Post by tream May 9, 2011 (1 of 12)
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I am currently reading the Silbin book on the Bach Cello Suites - you can find it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Cello-Suites-Casals-Baroque-Masterpiece/dp/0802145248/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304954534&sr=1-1
The book is a layman's appreciation of the Cello Suites, intertwined with biographies of Casals and Bach, coupled with the author's personal journey to discover the music of Bach, actually quite an achievement in such a slim and easy to read volume. I was inspired to purchase the Casals recording of the Suites, which I have never owned before. The performance history of the Cello Suites began with Casals, so this seems to be one of those mandatory purchases, along with such recordings as the Schnabel Beethoven sonatas, the Callas/di Stefano/Gobbi/de Sabata Tosca, the Furtwangler Tristan, and Stravinsky's own recording of the Rite of Spring - iconic recordings like these.
I just did a cursory review of this site and there seem to be two recordings on SACD - the Starker (which I have) and the Suzuki on DHM, which seems to have received rave reviews. Any others that I have missed? Is the Suzuki played on a baroque instrument? I think that I would want something like that to partner the Casals and Starker recordings, which of course are on modern cellos.
I recommend this book to everyone who loves music, no matter what kind.
Tom
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Post by steveo May 9, 2011 (3 of 12)
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tream said:
Is the Suzuki played on a baroque instrument?
Thanks for the book recommendation - it's gone on to the reading list; the Suzuki is played on a period instrument & very fine it is too.
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Post by tream May 9, 2011 (5 of 12)
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Polly Nomial said:
Thanks for the book recommendation - it's gone on to the reading list; the Suzuki is played on a period instrument & very fine it is too.
So I am assuming that Hidemi is related to Masaaki Suzuki? Brothers?
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Post by Oakland May 9, 2011 (6 of 12)
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Thanks for the recommendation for the Silbin book. I just ordered my copy from Amazon.com.
Robert C. Lang
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Post by big sur May 10, 2011 (7 of 12)
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I cannot justify the high prices that some SACD's command. I suppose the lesson is to buy SACD's when they're first released. I own the Queyras Bach Cello Suites which I love and although redbook-only the recording quality is very good. I have not heard (either of) the Suzuki versions on SACD, but maybe one day.
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Post by Oakland August 2, 2011 (8 of 12)
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I recently completed the Eric Siblin book, "The Cello Suites" recommended by tream. Thank you Thomas.
The book interweaves the lives of J.S. Bach and 20th century cellist Pablo Casals, his re-discovery of the Cello Suites, a history of the Suites themselves, and a history of the cello for which they were written (open to question), into a most fascinating read. One may think that an attempt to simultaneously treat 4 or 5 different subject matters, as though they were part of some space time continuum could result in an a unwieldy account that collapses under its own complexity. Not at all! I now have a heighten appreciation for anything Bach, but most especially, now, the Cello Suites. And those of you who have studied music, or know well the Cello Suites, or know of Casals, will probably have a greater appreciation of the book than even I have.
Of course, there are numerous CD versions available, including some referenced in the book. So, I need no CD recommendations. The author Eric Siblin seems to have healthy respect for cellist Pieter Wispelwey, mentioning him several times, and if I recall correctly, having also interviewed him. Unfortunately, Wispelwey did not record the Bach Cello Suites for Channel Classics. So, what are the SACD versions of the complete Bach Cello Suites that you enjoy? The Mercury Living Presence Janos Starker is far too expensive for me. Are there any partial recordings of the Suites that move you?
Robert C. Lang
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Post by stvnharr August 2, 2011 (9 of 12)
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Oakland said:
Of course, there are numerous CD versions available, including some referenced in the book. So, I need no CD recommendations. The author Eric Siblin seems to have healthy respect for cellist Pieter Wispelwey, mentioning him several times, and if I recall correctly, having also interviewed him. Unfortunately, Wispelwey did not record the Bach Cello Suites for Channel Classics.
Robert C. Lang
Pieter Wispelway recorded the Bach Suites twice for Channel, though both are rbcd. He was scheduled to do them a third time for Channel in sacd, but then there was the contract issue and he changed labels.
FWIW, I like the Hidemi Suzuki set on DHM sacd.
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Post by tream August 2, 2011 (10 of 12)
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Oakland said:
I recently completed the Eric Siblin book, "The Cello Suites" recommended by tream. Thank you Thomas.
Robert, you are most welcome. Great book, a tour de force.
I just finished reading Alex Ross' latest, "Listen to This", which is not nearly the masterpiece that Siblin's book is, but is still a quite enjoyable book. I found the chapters on Verdi and Brahms to be enlightening and inspiring, in particular. This book of course follows his classic "The Rest is Noise", which is about 20th century music.
Tom (or you can call me Thomas!)
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