Bach Suites - some alternatives to Paul Tortellier

Posted by: Jasonf on 11 September 2013

Calling the Classic boffs

Chaps,

I have been listening to Paul Tortellier. Bach the Cello Suites. 1983 recording ripped from cd and it is sounding quite breathtaking when the volume is slightly higher than usual. I am sitting approx 2.5m from the Harbeth Compact 7es-3.

And it just occured to me that there are many recordings out there they may be even more sublime than this one. So if there are any forum members who can give some reference to alternative recordings and what these recordings would bring differently to the  Paul Tortellier version. Or perhaps this is considered superior to others, I just don't know.

Thanks in advance.

Jason.
Posted on: 26 February 2014 by migo

The Lute player Nigel North has rearranged the suites for Lute and the result is spectacular.

I find these lute versions up there with the Bylsma and Wispelwey recordings.

Nigel North has a beautiful natural phrasing, and the way he has added inner voicings to the two part inventions, that I always thought the suites were, is really adding a whole new dimension to the suites, with out taking any of the purity away from them

.Linn has a sale on the complete set right now. Highly recommended.

Posted on: 26 February 2014 by George J
Originally Posted by The Author:

...

 

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.

Whilst I will not take anything away from your point of view, let me point people also to Pierre Fournier, whose DG set of the Bach Suites for Cello is rightly very much still in the catalogue after more than fifty years.

 

And his late 1940s recording of the Dvorak Cello Concerto in B minor is something not to miss. EMI recording, reissued on Testament in a superb transfer.

 

ATB from George

Posted on: 26 February 2014 by RaceTripper

I'm getting a new phonostage on Saturday and have pulled my Bylsma and Starker records for a listen. Can't wait!