Bach Suites - some alternatives to Paul Tortellier

Okay.

On HD Tracks website, when I attempt to listen to a track nothing happens. Does this mean that it is not available in your country, in my case Norway?

Jason.

I won't repeat the already named big names mentioned above and so will add some not so often mentioned choices.  If I would have gotten here earlier for sure I would have started with the same as above.   Nothing wrong with Tortelier.   All great but like with any treasures I, in particular, could never stop at just one or two.  I usually pick a handful of new ones to add ever year.  I'm rarely if ever dissatisfied.  A few recent additions to my Bach Cello suite library that compliment the established greats and not in any particular order:

Zuill Bailey

Half-way there:

Another halfway there:

An oldie for good measure

I have the Zeller 1-3 version and highly recommenit it, and it's a lovely recording too

There are very many outstanding versions of Bach´s cello solo suites. It is indeed difficult to find out where to start and where to stop, because in most of the sets I own, which certainly is the lions share of the existing recordings, there is much to enjoy.

My long time favorite is the recording by Morten Zeuthen (Scandinavian classics).He favors the latent polyphony and the rythmic energy of the music.

Much the same can be said about the equally outstanding Heinrich Schiff (EMI).

Gallic clarity we find in the version Maurice Gendron (Philips -  maybe Decca nowadays), which I prefer to the other French cellists from his generation (Navarra, Fournier and Tortellier).

Lately two new versions by British cellists have seen the light of the day, both live recordings: Colin Carr (Wigmore Hall) and William Butt (Warner Bros.). Both are masters of the cello and their interpretations are well realised and both wonderfully expressive without any extravagancies.

I am not a fan of too romantic renderings and this is why I avoid versions like Rostropovitsch, Shafran and Maisky.  Still I do not think we can leave out Casals groundbreaking version.

As to historically informed versions my favorites are many, some of them being Anner Bijlsma (his first version preferable), Wieland Kuijken (Arcana), Iagoba Fanlo (Arsis) and Phillipe Müller (Casavant).

And we also have to mention three outstanding versions played on violoncello da spalla (schoulder cello - a smaller instrument held like a viola but on the left shoulder and played like a viola) by Dmitri Badiarov (Ramée), Sigiswald Kuijken (Accent) and Ryo Terakado (Denon).

This is the one I tend to go for. I prefer it over Yo Yo Ma's recording.

My reaction to reading this great thread is that I want to listen to everything mentioned here.

Interestingly, I was able to find almost all of them on MOG (my streaming service of choice....) but, for this kind of music I'd love high resolution.... perhaps some time in the future.  

Hi Premont,

Thanks for this, very informative and interesting.

Jason.

I like Fournier for the elegance of his approach.

Try Jaap ter Linden, Brillant Classics 93132. 

Ter Linden performs the suites on a Milanese instrument of 1703 made by Giovanni Grancino. 

I thought that Bach's Cello Suites were just an Italian audiophiles' mania, but I see it's international.

I have not one audio nut friend who hasn't discovered the Suites. One of them often listens to all of the six in a single session as a form of relaxation.

Perhaps because I grew up listening to my brother practicing them in the next room for hours, but I sincerely find them a colossal PITA. But, chacun à son gout.

Anyway, why not give Nicolaus Harnoncourt's a listen?

Over the years I have known the 78s, LP transfers, and eventually the CD transfers of the set by Casals, the first Tourtelier LPs, and the second set [digital] on LPs and later CDs, and finally and most enjoyably the recording on DG of Fournier.

Casals has an immense human warmth, and he plays remarkably, Tourtelier has the French sense of style that I always found somewhat cool beside Casals, while Fornier has - to my mind - a complete grasp of the style, perfect intonation, and a sense of the lilt that is essential. If that were all then Fournier would have stood beside Casals and Tourtelier in my affections. He remains now my sole recorded version of this music. With his recording, I feel that nothing gets in the way of the music, and it is not unusual for me to play all six in a row ... and with total concentration right through.

I can find find no possible criticism of his musicianship.

ATB from George

Of those not yet mentioned.. 

Erling Blöndal Bengtsson (1984, Danacord)

Lillian Fuchs (1955, Doremi) Viola version

I have the Harnoncourt in vinyl form on Harmonia Mundi France. I think it is very good, but I give Anner Bylsma (which I also have in vinyl form on RCA Germany) the nod every time. Also, the Bylsma is miked closer and sounds like he is playing in the room for you. The Harnoncourt is miked differently and has a lot more larger hall ambience. It's a matter of tatste but I like the more intimate sound of the Bylsma.

I remember my first wife practicing them on the viola in our bedroom. It didn't put me off listening to them. I can close my eyes and still imagine she is there, playing them in the nude ....

Lol.

Ah, a vision of beauty no doubt

Did she really do that...good for her?

I have just purchased the Rostropovich version on CD. EMI recording plus DVD of rare footage of the man himself performing.

I have to say, I much prefer the Tortellier version. Rostropovich sounds a little subdued and mellow compared to the elegance of Tortellier.

Jason.

Yes she did!

I quite like the Rostropovich set. It is not as "romantic" as people make out. Sometimes you don't know why you like one interpretation until you hear another!

This thread is inspiring me to listen to some different versions.

I love the1th Anner Byjlsma recording ,the 2nd Pieter Wispelwey,and because it is played so rytmical also the 1th YoYo Ma recording

Curiously, the particular ambience of the Harnoncourt version is one of the things that appeal to me most.

I don't like closely miked recordings, but it's just my taste. I find resonating recordings, with not too sharp attacks, more resembling my experience of real concerts. I never sit close to the player...

It's a rare thing to have a version which everyone agrees cannot be bettered. Bach as romantic, cool & cerebral, spiritual, even danceable? And then to navigate faultlessly through the considerable technical challenges? Period or modern instrument? Choices, choices!

I'm listening to the Alpha label set of the Bruno Cocset version streamed via the Uniti as I type - sounds pretty good to me!

Happy listening,

Vlad

Cheap but very good.

Something different, the suites (1,2 & 5) performed on a Double Bass which carries the music into lower octaves while still remaining nimble and flowing. Edgar Meyer's playing is just outstanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pty1EOyRvkU

the Dutch cellist Jaap ter Linden has made a beautyfull ''historical''version.

Hidemi Suziki

I've got the 1966 recording of Tortellier and it is sublime. The tempo and 'feel' are spot on.

I've also got the Jackie du Pré doing some of them. Although I personally think Jackie is the most sincere and honest musician I have ever heard. I prefer the slower tempo of Tortelier.

I've heard YoYo's doing them and don't like them – too clinical for me.

If you want pure genius, old Slava (Rostropovich) is the way to go – just brilliant. While you are at it, Slava's doing the Dvorak should be top of your list of Dvorak versions. It was his signature piece.