J. S. Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3; Pablo Casals

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Talk about legendary! Pablo Casals's "discovery" of this music was not only one of the factors that catapulted him to fame as the world's finest cellist, it had a dramatic effect on the rediscovery of Bach as a composer. Until Casals proved otherwise, few believed that these unaccompanied solos could actually be performed as written; many composers and editors tried their hand at adding piano or harpsichord accompaniments, with ludicrous results to modern ears. By proving that Bach meant what he wrote, and by playing the music with such conviction and assurance, Casals really might be said to have ignited the process that led to the "authentic instrument" movement of today, the fundamental principle of which is respect for the composer's original text. Of course, it's another sign of his greatness that these performances have held their own against all comers since the 1930s. If you like Bach, the cello, or both, you must hear them. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Prelude (Moderato)
Allemande (Molto Moderato)
Courante (Allegro Nn Troppo)
Sarabande (Lento)
Menuetto I & II (Allegro Moderato)
Gigue (Vivace)
Praeludium
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuetto I & II
Gigue
Praeludium
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourree I & II
Gigue

Amazon.com

Talk about legendary! Pablo Casals's "discovery" of this music was not only one of the factors that catapulted him to fame as the world's finest cellist, it had a dramatic effect on the rediscovery of Bach as a composer. Until Casals proved otherwise, few believed that these unaccompanied solos could actually be performed as written; many composers and editors tried their hand at adding piano or harpsichord accompaniments, with ludicrous results to modern ears. By proving that Bach meant what he wrote, and by playing the music with such conviction and assurance, Casals really might be said to have ignited the process that led to the "authentic instrument" movement of today, the fundamental principle of which is respect for the composer's original text. Of course, it's another sign of his greatness that these performances have held their own against all comers since the 1930s. If you like Bach, the cello, or both, you must hear them. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Some of the greatest music ever recorded.......2004-11-19

These suites are absolutely beautiful and Casals conveys an emotion and depth which is unique. Everyone knows how great Casals is, and that these are probably considered his best recordings, so a comment on the sound. I haven't heard the Naxos versions yet, so I can't compare, but the sound on these two volumes is very good, with minimal hiss and popping. The cello stands out and is very bright and clear, so no one should hesitate to purchase these based upon apprehensions on sound quality.

Not just pretty music.......2000-06-10

The gushing reviews of Casal's performance on this album are deserved, but I think there's an aspect of the recording they leave out: when I first listened to this recording, I had never heard such a pure, simple composition, and Casal's interpretation adds grace and nuance to Bach's beautifully sparse suites. This collection is more than just good music, it's proof of the ability of genius (Casal's and Bach's) to take simplicity and grace and create something beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in classical music.

And to anyone trying to decide, I would add as a footnote that I prefer this version the recording done by Mstislav Rostropovich. To my ears, Rostropovich's performance sounds a little too hurried and mechanical.

The best ever.......2000-04-14

This is really the best recording one could ever get of the Bach Suites! Casals' tone is fabulous! These suites are perfect for relaxing, studying, background music for parties, and tons of other things! DEFINATELY recommendable!

Average customer rating:

Romantic Evening Music (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Flute Sonata In E Flat: Siciliano
Flute Concerto No.1: Adagio ma non troppo
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Andante
Trio In G Minor 'The Shepherd's Lament': Andante espressivo
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Largo
Flute Concerto In D Minor: Un poco andante
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas de quatre
Orchestral Suite No.2: Sarabande
Flute Quartet In A: Theme And Variations
Flute Concerto In D: Arioso
Quartet In G: Theme And Variations
Water Music: Minuet
Flute Concerto In G: Largo
Orchestral Suite No.2: Minuet And Badinerie

Tracks:

Swan Lake: Scene No.10 - Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No.9 'From The New World': Largo - Prague Festival Orchestra
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio - Burkhard Glaetzner
Oboe Concerto In C: Andante - Lajos Lencses
Oboe Quartet In C: Adagio - Lajos Lencses
Concerto In D For Oboe d'amore: Siciliano - Burkhard Glaetzner
Otello: Prelude - Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra
Oboe Concerto In C: Larghetto - Burkhard Glaetzner
Andantino - Lajos Lencses
Orchestral Suite No.1: Passepied - Jochen Muller-Brincken
Concerto In A For Oboe d'amore: Larghetto - Burkhard Glaetzner
Oboe Concerto: Romance - Burkhard Glaetzner
Oboe Concerto In C: Adagio no troppo - Burkhard Glaetzner

Tracks:

Horn Concerto In E Flat, K.447: Romance
Capriccio espagnol: Variations
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Notturno
Concerto In E Flat For Two Horns: Romance
Concerto In F: Arioso
Horn Concerto In E Flat, K.495: Romance
Concerto In D: Largo
Symphony No.5: Andante cantabile
Horn Concerto No.2: Adagio
Water Music: Air
Concerto In E Flat For Two Horns: Adagio
Concerto In E Flat: Largo
Symphony In G 'Sinfonia da caccia': Andante piutosto un poco allegretto
Horn Concerto In E Flat, K.417: Andante

Tracks:

Concerto de Aranjuez: Adagio
On Wings Of Song
To Music
L'Encouragement, Op.34: Cantabile
Semi Dolens
Fugue In G Minor
Prelude No.2
Sonata In C: Adagio
Capricho arabe
Prelude No.5
Fantasy
A Toy
Gagliarde
A Pipers Pavan
Welcome Home
Pass'e mezzo

Tracks:

Partita In D Flat: Pastorale
Harp Concerto: Larghetto
Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
Prelude In C
Sonata In C Minor: Andante espressivo
Harp Concerto In A: Larghetto
Nocturne In E Flat
Five Variations In F
Prelude In B Flat
Variations On A Theme By Mozart
Prelude In C Minor
Impromptu In D Flat

Average customer rating:

I love every second of it !
Well what have we here?
First rate cellist, first rate Bach.
Kliegel pulls it all together...Bach with Character
OK, me first.

J.S. Bach: Complete Cello Suites

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Brahms: Cello Sonatas
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Bach: The 6 Cello Suites

ASIN: B0007ACVHI
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuet I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuet I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Gavotte I & II
Gigue

Tracks:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourree I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourree I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Gavotte I & II
Gigue

Customer Reviews:

I love every second of it !.......2006-03-03

There is genius in this recording. I think it is a masterpiece. The sound is impeccable, round, alive. It is as if the music is speaking to you directly, being born right in front of you. Magnificent.

Well what have we here?.......2006-02-27

I bought this on a whim and because I wanted the cello suites on a single release without spending an arm and a leg. Wow, what a great performance. Maria Kliegel is excellent on this, as is the quality of sound. A great cellist, great Bach, great CD set. This is worth every penny and then some.

First rate cellist, first rate Bach........2005-12-22

Since classical cellists consider these pieces the summit of the art, and since they've been recorded by practically all of the greats--Rostropovich, Casals, Ma, et al--you would need considerable patience, expertise and a book length study to compare all the fine points of the various performances. Fortunately, complex analysis isn't necessary in order to recommend this set of discs by Maria Kliegel.

I first heard Kliegel in performances of Kodaly's daunting cello pieces (on two highly recommended discs from Naxos) and her Bach is no disappointment. This is a cellist of the first rank, playing a Stradivarius, beautifully recorded in digital sound at bargain basement prices. Naxos is often a hit or miss label, but when they get it right like this they leave the big (expensive, dull) labels in the dust.

Kliegel pulls it all together...Bach with Character.......2005-12-12

In my VW Beetle CD changer, I stuffed the Ma, the Wispelwey and Kliegel CD's of the Bach Suites and hit the road for a 5 hour commute (round-trip) to Atlanta. I had just purchased the Kliegel because of price AND the way she plays the Chopin Sonata.

The Ma I have always liked a lot, while one of my cello teachers had introduced me to Wispelwey. I have other recordings, some historically accurate, and some just hysterical. Of all the Wispelwey seemed to me much more "Bachish", and I still enjoyed the Ma.

During the trip I found myself punching up one version and another over and over again.

What really confused me is that I could always tell when it was Ma...beautiful tone...but the Kliegel and Wispelwey were sort of similar, without being alike.

Finally discovered that, to me, the Kliegel was more musical, without losing the baroque bowing traditions. Character. Now I really want to hear her in person.

OK, me first........2005-04-27

When I got this CD, my wife remarked, not without some justice,
"Oooo! More Bach cello. Just what you needed." Well...yeah. There are more first-rate classical musicians in the world today than Bach would have believed possible. And more of them are being recorded than ever before and if that isn't just one of the neatest things about being alive today then I'm a Dutchman. And if getting even a mediocre recording of the cello suites at Naxos prices isn't one of the other neatest things then I'm Dutchman 2, The Sequel. And this, my friends is no mediocre recording. No, no and no.

In reading, as I do, the other reviews on the Amazon website, it appears to me that the most grievous sin in Bach cello performances is nasty old "rubato". An awful lot of folks get their knickers in disarray over it's appearance. My guess is they don't like surprises. I figure a man or woman puts in the years of dedication and dicipline it takes to master an instrument as difficult as the cello; puts in the time to learn a score...learn it so well that they don't even have to think about it but can just make music; well I figure that man or woman has earned his or her rubato. Be warned. Ms. Kliegel uses rubato. And, boy oh boy, does she make music.

I know, Casals blah blah, Fournier blah blah, Schiff blah, Rostropovich blah, Maisky bl...etc. I have them all and they are each uniquely splendid. And everybody knows it. As Dogberry says to his deputy, "Comparisons are odorous, Master Verges." But if you must compare this performance, I guess you can hold it next to Gendron as she's using his Stradivarius. And ladies and gentlemen, the SOUND!

I bought this CD on spec, never having heard of Maria Kliegel, because it was cheaper than a movie ticket and a box of popcorn and because I want to encourage the recording of Bach. Having heard it, I would gladly have spent four times as much. I just wish they had some of those Media Player previews so you could hear some of it yourself rather than have to rely on the opinion of some stranger. (My wife says they don't come much stranger and she knows me intimately.)

Romantic Evening Music for Flute, Vol. 2

Average customer rating:

Romantic Evening Music for Flute, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Average customer rating:

Baroque cello at its finest

J.S. Bach: The 6 Cello Suites

Manufacturer: Avie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000C3WCI
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Customer Reviews:

Baroque cello at its finest.......2006-11-06

Don't miss Phoebe Carrai's fabulous solo Bach recording. This is a tremendous recording of incredible musicianship, tone color, depth and spirit. Performed on a cello in Baroque condition from c.1690, this musical outing is an inward experience. Aching tempi and spacious slow movements are contrasted by exciting bite and articulation. Some very unique and informed interpretations for those of us who are tired of another modern recording.

Phoebe Carrai gained fame as a member of Musica Antiqua Koln and is currently a member of the Philharmonia Baroque. She has appeared with the Handel & Haydn Orchestra, Philharmonia Baroque, Arcadian Academy, Concert Royal, Bach Chamber Soloists, and Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra as well as many other esteemed early music groups. She is a founding member of International Baroque Institute at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA.

Average customer rating:

A Great Recording. 100% recommended.
amazing

J.S. Bach: 6 Suites for Cello Solo

Manufacturer: Artemis Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000AQS6I
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuet I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Menuet I & II
Gigue

Tracks:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourree I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourree I & II
Gigue

Tracks:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Gavotte I & II
Gigue
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Gavotte I & II
Gigue

Customer Reviews:

A Great Recording. 100% recommended........2005-01-11

These CDs are a favorite of my classical collection. Haimovitz's tone is clear, warm, and beautifully recorded, and I found his interpretation to be very emotional and expressive but still energetic. He does some very adventurous things in his interpretation that may be frowned upon by a Bach "purist", but none of them are outside the realm of good taste in my opinion- Haimovitz has a very good ear. I recommend this CD often to those looking for the Bach Suites: this collection stands up to the best that I have heard, those being the Fournier, Tortelier, and Starker, all of which are routinely touted as the definitive versions. Certainly nothing against those recordings in the slightest, on the contrary I think one needs them all, but this Haimovitz takes its place at the top of my list of recent digital readings. It makes a great addition to any collection, and is also an interesting alternative to the aformentioned.

As an added bonus, the CDs are mastered in 24 bit HDCD format for the audiophile who has the stereo gear to take advantage of this technology- but also play normally on regular CD players.

amazing.......2004-04-27

ok, i dont personally OWN this cd, but i've borrowed it from someone to listen to. Im definetnly going to buy it. I heard Matt Haimovitz live playing the first suite and he was amazing. He uses so much expression to express himself and creates a tune unlike any other performances I've ever heard. Buy this cd.

Average customer rating:

Terrific

Romantic Evening Music (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Duets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Airs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Tracks:

Moonlight Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 21: Andante - Romantic Evening Music
Traumerei - Romantic Evening Music
Barcarolle - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 2: Larghetto - Romantic Evening Music
Lieberstraum - Romantic Evening Music
Impromptu In G Flat - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto: Adagio - Romantic Evening Music
Intermezzo In A - Romantic Evening Music
Nocturne No.13 - Romantic Evening Music
Moment Musical In A Flat - Romantic Evening Music

Tracks:

Of Foreign Contries And People - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Sonata No. 8, 'Pathetique': Adagio cantabile - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 23: Andante - Romantic Evening Music
Melody In F - Romantic Evening Music
Nocturne In B - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 17: Andante - Romantic Evening Music
Fur Elise - Romantic Evening Music
The Venetian Gondola - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio - Romantic Evening Music
Intermezzo In A Minor - Romantic Evening Music
Arietta, Op.12 No. 1 - Romantic Evening Music
Piano Concerto No. 9, 'Juenehomme': Andante - Romantic Evening Music

Tracks:

Romance No. 2 For Violin
Meditation, From 'Thais'
Violin Concerto: Andante
Romance In F Minor
Legende For Violin, Op. 17
Violin Concerto: Andante
Adagio In E For Violin And Orchestra
Hungarian State Orchestra: Romance

Tracks:

Humoresque
Romance In G
The Four Seasons: Largo, From Winter
Violin Concerto No. 2: Adagio
Violin Concerto No. 1: Adagio
Violin Concerto In C: Adagio
Romance No. 1 For Violin
Violin Concerto No. 4: Andante
Concerto For Three Violins: Adagio
Souvenir de Florence:: Adagio cantabile e con moto

Tracks:

Peer Gynt: Morning - Classical (misc.)
Carmen: Intermezzo - Classical (misc.)
Minuet In D Minor - Classical (misc.)
Concerto for Flute and Harp: Andantino - Classical (misc.)
Nutcracker: Dance Of The Toy Flutes - Classical (misc.)
Orpheus And Eurydice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Classical (misc.)
Flute Quartet In G: Tempo di Minuetto - Classical (misc.)
Sonata In E Minor: Siciliano - Classical (misc.)
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Largo - Classical (misc.)
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4: Andante - Classical (misc.)
Flute Concerto in B Flat: Adagio - Classical (misc.)
Concerto For Two Transverse Flutes: Cantabile - Classical (misc.)
Flute Trio In G: Andante - Classical (misc.)
Flute Concerto No.2: Andante ma non troppo - Classical (misc.)

Tracks:

Flute Sonata No. 1 In E Flat: Siciliano
Flute Concerto No. 1: Adagio Ma Non Troppo
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Andante
Trio In G Minor: Andante Expressivo ('The Shepherd's Lament')
Flute Concerto In E Minor: Largo
Flute Concerto In D Minor: Un poco andante
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas de quatre
Orchestral Suite No. 2: Sarabande
Flute Quartet In A: Theme And Variations
Flute Concerto In D: Arioso
Quartet In G: Theme And Variations
Water Music: Minuet
Flute Concerto In G: Largo
Orchestral Suite No. 2: Minuet And Badinerie

Tracks:

Swan Lake: Scene No.10
Symphony No. 9, 'From The New World': Largo
Oboe Concerto In D Minor: Adagio
Oboe Concerto In C: Andante
Oboe Quartet In C: Adagio
Concerto In D For Oboe d'amore: Siciliano
Otello: Prelude
Oboe Concerto In C: Larghetto
Andantino
Orchestral Suite No. 1: Passepied
Concerto In A For Oboe d'amore: Larghetto
Oboe Concerto: Romance
Oboe Concerto In C: Adagio non troppo

Tracks:

W. A. Mozart: Romance - Romantic Evening Music
Capriccio espganol: Variations - Romantic Evening Music
Mendelssohn: Notturno - Romantic Evening Music
Concerto In E Flat For Two Horns: Romance - Romantic Evening Music
Heinichen: Arioso - Romantic Evening Music
W. A. Mozart: Romance - Romantic Evening Music
Concerto In D: Largo - Romantic Evening Music
Tchaikovsky: Andante cantabile - Romantic Evening Music
Haydn: Adagio - Romantic Evening Music
Handel: Air - Romantic Evening Music
Concerto In E Flat For Two Horns: Adagio - Romantic Evening Music
Concerto In E Flat: Largo - Romantic Evening Music
Symphony In G, 'Sinfonia da caccia': Andante piutosto un poco allegretto - Romantic Evening Music
Horn Concerto In E Flat, K. 417: Andante - Romantic Evening Music

Tracks:

Concierto de Aranjuez: Adagio
On Wings of Song
To Music
L'encouragement, Op. 34: Cantabile
Semi Dolens
Fugue In G Minor
Prelude No. 2
Sonata In C: Adagio
Capricho arabe
Prelude No. 5
Fantasy
A Toy
Gagliarde
A Pipers Pavan
Welcome Home
Pass'e mezzo

Tracks:

Partita In D-flat: Pastorale
Harp Concerto: Larghetto
Tic-Toc-Choc ou Les Maillotins
Prelude In C
Sonata In C Minor: Andante espressivo
Harp Concerto In A: Larghetto
Nocturne In E flat
Five Variations In F
Prelude In B Flat
Variations On A Theme By Mozart
Prelude In C Minor
Impromptu In D Flat

Customer Reviews:

Terrific.......2001-07-02

this set was bought for me by a friend of mine, knowing that I love just about all varieties of music. I found this to be of real good sound quaility, and extremely relaxing plus it helped to put me in a good frame of mind, add to that that the baby I watch enjoyed it and was able to go to sleep peacefully makes it well worth the purchase. I highly recommend it.