Bach Suites - some alternatives to Paul Tortellier

There are lots of interesting recordings, old and new (perhaps not "more sublime", but different): Bylsma, Wispelwey (2 recordings), Fournier, Isserlis, Jean-Guihen Queyras, etc. We are really spoilt for choice.

I would recommend two to listen to:

Rough and pure:

Easy to listen to:

complete different - still exiting

P.s. I don't like Yo Yo Ma's version so much...

Excellent recommendations.

Don't forget Casals, Yo Yo Ma and Rostropovich. All excellent. There is a high res version from Tunnicliffe on the Linn label.

My first wife was a viola player who used the suites to practice. I therefore also have a version played on the viola - Helen Callus - gives a different perspective.

I consider the Tortelier recordings to be my favorite, if I am honest. But I have not heard  Bylsma, Wispelwey (2 recordings), Isserlis, Jean-Guihen Queyras.

I think different people respond to them in different ways. You should probably listen to excerpts on Amazon to see what you like. I like the dance movements to be really rhythmical and dance-like. I am still looking for my ideal interpretation. I have now been motivated to sample the versions I have not yet heard.

I find Yo Yo Ma's interpretations boring and lifeless. He should stick to later works for which he is known.

My favorites are Janos Starker on Mercury, and Anner Bylsma's recording on a period instrument (I have the vinyl on RCA Germany).

Hi Jason,

Not that I can compare, but Jan-Erik recommended Anne Gastinel a while ago and I like it very much:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...41#25078766220188441

HTH

Maurice

Glad to see Pieter Wispelwey mentioned, the Bach suites are some of this best recordings. He's made three so far, by the way - I particularly like his first and third (Bert's rec above). Another cellist I admire is Mischa Maisky, who goes pretty far in his first recording and almost re-envisages the music in his second recording. Pablo Casals is still worth hearing, in average mono - he set the stage for all others to follow. And I see nobody has mentioned Heinrich Schiff and Jaap ter Linden - both have recorded committed readings, which have become hard to find.

EJ

I have Tortellier on LP and couldn't listen to it, extremely dull to say the least. May be he made few different recordings, I don't know.

So I bought Rotropovich on CD, what a relieve it was.

Then I got Bylsma on CD playing the "Servais" which is a Stradivarius and there goes my preference.

I think there are two Tortellier sets on LP - one analog and one digital. I haven't compared them side by side, but my memory was that the analog version was better.

I usually reach for this one first;

Thank you all!  The Starker is available as a hi res download.

Where?

Worth a listen is Edgar Meyer's selection of suites on the double bass.

Martin Zeller is also good.

Default for me is Casals, but I quite like Bruno Cocset's version - I prefer Starker's Kodaly to his Bach, but have two vinyl copies nevertheless 

Yo Yo Ma's version has been my favourite for some time now. I'm surprised nobody mentioned Du Pre. I have her performing this on CD but haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. 

Will definitely try some of the other recommendations. 

Arun

The Janos Starker recordings are at HD Tracks. I cannot vouch for the quality. I have the Speakers Corner remastered versions on vinyl, which are excellent.

The HD Tracks is telling me that downloads are only available to US addresses.

I seem to recall someone mentioning a workaround. Any ideas?

Thanks

Jan

Jan-Erik

it used to be possible to just use PayPal and no address in your account registration.

if they do IP-checking now you could try to use a (free) VPN.

The Tortelier Bach is really excellent to my ears. That is the 1961 recording on EMI (ADD). It's my go-to version.

I have a problem with Starker. Every time I listen to him, it sounds like he is sawing wood rather than playing the cello. Ah well, that's just me.