Suites for Solo Violoncello

1. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
with Simon Rowland-Jones

2. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
with Simon Rowland-Jones

3. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach
with Simon Rowland-Jones

Tracks:

Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Prelude
Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Allemande
Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Courante
Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Sarabande
Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Menuet 1&2
Suite Nr.1 In G dur BWV 1007: Gigue
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Prelude
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Allemande
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Courante
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Sarabande
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Menuet 1&2
Suite Nr.2 In D moll BWV 1008: Gigue
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Prelude
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Allemande
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Courante
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Sarabande
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Bourree 1&2
Suite Nr.3 In C dur BWV 1009: Gigue

Tracks:

Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Prelude
Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Allemande
Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Courante
Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Sarabande
Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Bouree 1&2
Suite Nr.1 In Es dur BWV 1010: Gigue
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Prelude
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Allemande
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Courante
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Sarabande
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Gavotte 1&2
Suite Nr.5 In C moll BWV 1011: Gigue
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Prelude
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Allemande
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Courante
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Sarabande
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Gavotte 1&2
Suite Nr.6 In D dur BWV 1012: Gigue

Customer Reviews:

Unprecedented and vastly under-rated - still.......2007-06-20

Wispelwey's rendition of this immense opus distinguished itself by its relentless liveliness and intimacy of delivery that is enabled by an extremely capacious grasp of the pulse and a spontaneously poetic sense of the line. A total lack of sense of pedantry disguises utmost refinement and complexity in colour and rhythm that not only allows enlivening of the dance form, but also breathes life into the presentation. The experience was effortlessly convincing, and very often, profoundly touching, shun of any artifice.

Rostropovich labored, Yoyo Ma glossed over, Jian Wang presented decently with effort, Tortelier delivered, Bylsma studied, Starked flamed. I believe Wispelwey joins the rank of the sublime - Fournier and Casals - playing of transcendant and universal beauty.

Sweet!.......2007-03-17

Best Bach I've heard yet. Clear, sensitive, mature, and a little melancholy. Stands out above so many Bach recordings.

So good to listen to.......2004-08-13

I have listened to many recording of these suites, and I play some of them myself, and I have to admit that this is one of the best. I really like his style of playing. He took the unfinished work of Bach, and finished it and making his own. This is a must have if you like the suites.

Vigorous but refined.......2003-11-22

For a work as popular as this, it's a wonder why most of the recordings are "modern" (Ma, Fournier, et al), and why there are so few "original instrument" recordings like this one.

Wispelwey plays with imagination and vigor. An example of these traits (and perfectly in keeping with Baroque performance practice), is how he takes the final chords of the D minor Prelude, and instead of sitting on them (as is written), he plays a set of furious arpeggios on the chords. However, on the whole, the ornmenation is relatively subdued throughout.

The sound quality of the recording is examplary. As a matter of fact, this is one of the only knocks I have against the recording -- it's miked so closely that you can hear Wispelwey pound the fingers of his left hand down onto the fingerboard. While this gives him excellent articulation, the slight thudding noise is a bit distracting. (And of course, the instrument is tuned almost a half-step low. Cellists with perfect pitch: beware.)

His use of vibrato is very spare, which also follows the performance practice. At times he could use a teeny bit more warmth, for example in the famous Sarabande of the C minor suite. He seems to be downplaying the emotions of this simple yet profound movement. I prefer Ma's rendition of this movement (but, then, the movement is a special favorite of Ma's...).

All in all, an excellent choice for an "original instrument" version of the Suites. Recommended.

The more intense, dynamic performance I've ever seen.......2001-07-03

Until this recording, I considered the Solo Cello Sonatas as the most boring work ever written by Johann Sebastian Bach. I tried to listen to the suites, but I was completely unimpressed by the interpretations of Casals, Rostropovich or Yo-Yo Ma. To me, the work was just too dry, too academic.

Tracks:

Ste No.1, Op.72: Canto Primo. Sostenuto E Largamente
Ste No.1, Op.72: I. Fuga. Andante Moderato
Ste No.1, Op.72: II. Lamento. Lento Rubato
Ste No.1, Op.72: Canto Secondo. Sostenuto
Ste No.1, Op.72: III. Ser. Allegretto: Pizzicato
Ste No.1, Op.72: IV. Marcia. Alla Marcia Moderato
Ste No.1, Op.72: Canto Terzo. Sostenuto
Ste No.1, Op.72: V. Bordone. Moderato Quasi Recitativo
Ste No.1, Op.72: VI. Moto Perpetuo E Canto Quarto. Presto
Ste No.2, Op.80: I. Declamato. Largo
Ste No.2, Op.80: II. Fuga. Andante
Ste No.2, Op.80: III. Scherzo. Allegro Molto
Ste No.2, Op.80: IV. Andante Lento
Ste No.2, Op.80: V. Ciaccona. Allegro
Ste No.3, Op.87: I. Intro. Lento
Ste No.3, Op.87: II. Marcia. Allegro
Ste No.3, Op.87: III. Canto. Con Moto
Ste No.3, Op.87: IV. Barcarola. Lento
Ste No.3, Op.87: V. Dialogo. Allegretto
Ste No.3, Op.87: VI. Fuga. Andante Espressivo/VII. Recitativo. Fantastico
Ste No.3, Op.87: VIII. Moto Perpetuo. Presto
Ste No.3, Op.87: IX. Passacaglia. Lento Solenne
Ste No.3, Op.87: Mournful Song (Under The Little Apple Tree). Molto Semplice-Autumn. Vivace...

Amazon.com

Written between 1964 and 1971 for Britten's friend Mstislav Rostropovich, these suites exploit every resource of the instrument and require utmost technical, intellectual, and musical proficiency from the player. Though they share a certain austerity and love of sound effects, each has its own character and structure. The first frames three pairs of contrasting movements with a recurring ostinato; the second opens with declamatory conversations between the cello's low and high registers and demands pyrotechnics-like chords, double stops, simultaneous bowing, and plucking; the third alternates plucked and bowed passages and features extreme contrasts of character, dynamics and moods. Young Jean-Guihen Queyras, a multiple prizewinner with a burgeoning European career, surmounts all these formidable hurdles without strain, playing with an unfailingly beautiful, pure, variable tone, and total authority and involvement. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

AMAZING !!!.......2007-04-06

I've seen Queyras twice , at Sala São Paulo . He's an amazing cellist . His youth face tranforms itself when he plays .
I love his Britten's interpretations !
Great Album !!!!

For connoisseurs only.......2002-04-26

Why has nobody else given this recording five stars? It's the same on rec.music.classical and the like: everybody recommends Rostropovitch and all sorts of other cellists, and I never see Queyras mentioned. But this is inexplicable! As Amazon's Edith says, he plays with "unfailingly beautiful, pure, variable tone, and total authority and involvement". These are fascinating and lovely works, subtle and introspective: and listening to this recording you feel as though Queyras is sitting right beside you. What's more, the price is excellent. Conclusion: only buy this CD if you're sure you're going to appreciate it. Otherwise don't spread the word, and leave the stock for people who really know what's worth listening to!

Average customer rating:

Nathaniel Rosen...
Art for Arts Sake
Nathaniel Rosen Dazzles
Perfection

Bach: Suites for Violoncello Solo

Manufacturer: John Marks Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003Y99
Release Date: 1994-12-21

Tracks:

Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: I. Prld
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: II. Allemande
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: III. Courante
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: V. Menuet I, II
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: VI. Gigue
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: I. Prld
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: II. Allemande
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: III. Courante
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: V. Menuet I, II
Ste No.2 in D, BWV 1008: VI. Gigue
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: I. Prld
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: II. Allemande
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: III. Courante
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: V. Bourree I, II
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: VI. Gigue

Tracks:

Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: I. Prld
Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: II. Allemande
Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: III. Courante
Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: V. Bourree I, II
Ste No.4 in E-Flat, BWV 1010: VI. Gigue
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: I. Prld
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: II. Allemande
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: III. Courante
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: V. Gavotte I, II
Ste No.5 in c, BWV 1011: VI. Gigue
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: I. Prld
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: II. Allemande
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: III. Courante
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: IV. Sarabande
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: V. Gavotte I, II
Ste No.6 in D, BWV 1012: VI. Gigue

Customer Reviews:

Nathaniel Rosen..........2005-07-26

I first read about Mr. Rosen in the Los Angeles Times some 10+ years ago, when the Cello Suites was released. As I have always like Bach, I bought this set and was amazed by his technique and skill. My only gripe about this disk is that on disk 2, the last selection, #18 does not play on my machine. Oh well, I'm still happy about my purchase, it's first rate Bach by a first rate musician!! Congrats, Mr. Rosen, you deserve an "A+" for this effort!!

Art for Arts Sake.......2003-12-24

This Bach interpretation is perfectly beautiful. The great masters who are no longer with us would be proud . . . The End

Nathaniel Rosen Dazzles.......2003-07-11

After listening quite extensively to many recordings of the Bach Cello Suites, I can say with complete confidence that Mr. Rosen's recording is one of my favorites. His sound is big and rich, yet it is still refined and pure. The clarity of tone is incredible, and his technical abilities may be equalled but are unsurpassed. If one were looking for a recording of these suites, I would strongly reccommend this one, performed by Master Cellist Nathaniel Rosen.

Perfection.......2000-10-29

This must be the best recording of the Bach cello suites that's available. Mr Rosen's interpretation is full-bodied and mature; yet his sound is pure and flawless. There is no other cellist alive who is this clean. If this recording were a food, it would have to be chocolate silk pie. That's absolutely as good as it gets!

Average customer rating:

Why?
Not "definitive" but seductive
The definitive recording of the Bach Cello Suites

Bach: Six Suites for Solo Violoncello

Manufacturer: Accent Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000442X
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Menuet I
VI. Menuet II
VII. Menuet I
VIII. Gigue
I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Bourree I
VI. Bourree II
VII. Bourree I
VIII. Gigue
I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Gavotte I
VI. Gavotte II
VII. Gavotte I
VIII. Gigue

Tracks:

I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Bourree I
VI. Bourree II
VII. Bourree I
VIII. Gigue
I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Menuet I
VI. Menuet II
VII. Menuet I
VIII. Gigue
I. Prelude
II. Allemande
III. Courante
IV. Sarabande
V. Gavotte I
VI. Gavotte II
VII. Gavotte I
VIII. Gigue

Customer Reviews:

Why?.......2006-07-11

Dieltiens is promoted in the liner notes as an expert in the "period instrument" field. Well, he does play a period cello. The British critic Robert Layton used to say that once you get the tempo right, everything else seems to fall into place. The corollary of that is -- if you get the tempo wrong, everything falls apart. Listen to the sarabande movement (track 4) of the first disc. Pedestrian, plodding tempo, and the music disintegrates in Dieltiens' hands. The only real advantage of the "period" movement was the rehabilitation, by its better adherents, of swifter tempi for so-called "slow" movements -- such as the sarabande above. You might as well listen to Casals or Yo-Yo Ma. My recommendation is Heinrich Schiff.

Not "definitive" but seductive.......2004-12-22

I hate to quibble with "rubythroat" as I suspect she (?) knows more about music than I. However, the notion of a "definitive" version of any of Bach's works for solo instrument...keyboard, violin, cello or what have you...would seem to me the very definition of nonsense on stilts. My guess is that Bach himself never played his Goldberg Variations the same way twice and would have cringed at the notion of a "correct" interpretation.

She is quite correct, though, to love this recording of the cello suites. It's quite unlike any of the dozen or so that I own. Never flashy or melodramatic, it nonetheless seems to creep up on you and seduce rather than compel; like the speaker who whispers to quiet a noisey room. The music seems to enter as much through the navel as the ear. I would not recommend this as a first choice to someone who was not familiar with this music, but if you love these pieces and would like the experience of hearing them again "for the first time", try Dieltiens. I think you'll find yourself returning to him quite often.

The definitive recording of the Bach Cello Suites.......2001-01-20

This recording is the finest ever made of Bach's monumental cello suites. Diltiens is in his usual perfect form, playing with exquisite expression and flawless technique and intonation. His profound understanding of Bach's harmonic language and inherent grasp of the rhythmic styles in Baroque dances imbues his performance with undeniable vibrancy. This recording is true to Baroque performance practices-you won't hear any exagerrated romantic performance practices-(no sloppy sliding or warbling vibrato.) I cannot recommend it enough. Track 20 on disc 1 is breathtaking.

J. S. Bach: Suites for Solo Violoncello, BWV 1007-1012, Vol. 1, Suites 1 -3

Average customer rating:

J. S. Bach: Suites for Solo Violoncello, BWV 1007-1012, Vol. 1, Suites 1 -3

Manufacturer: Meridian
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000003XD4
Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Prld
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Allemande
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Courante
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Sarabande
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Menuet I & II
Ste No.1 in G, BWV 1007: Gigue
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Prld
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Allemande
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Courante
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Sarabande
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Menuet I & II
Ste No.2 in d, BWV 1008: Gigue
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Prld
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Allemande
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Courante
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Sarabande
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Bourree I & II
Ste No.3 in C, BWV 1009: Gigue

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso Nos. 3, 4, 5

Average customer rating:

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso Nos. 3, 4, 5

Manufacturer: Ambroisie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005QHQ7
Release Date: 2001-01-01

Bach: Suiten Für Violoncello (Suites (6) For Solo Cello)

Average customer rating:

Bach: Suiten Für Violoncello (Suites (6) For Solo Cello)

Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000005W59
Release Date: 1997-10-14

Amazon.com

Principal cellist of the Dresden Staatskapelle, Peter Bruns plays a 1730 vintage Tononi that once belonged to Casals. In some respects, Bruns's rhythmic freedom and expressive fervor mirror Casals's "play Bach like Brahms" mindset. He also gives Casals's vocal grunts and grimaces a run for their money. Every so often Bruns's astounding facility gets the better of him, especially in introspective movements where his agogic tinkerings rupture continuity, and also in protruding accents elsewhere. Still, the playing is never less than interesting, and gorgeously recorded too. --Jed Distler

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso Nos. 1, 2, 6

Average customer rating:

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso Nos. 1, 2, 6

Manufacturer: Ambroisie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000055Y1W
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Amazing, rhythmic, energetic Bach
Absolutely breathtaking performance!

Bach: Suites a Violoncello Solo senza Basso (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Ambroisie
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00008OTMQ
Release Date: 2003-07-08

Customer Reviews:

Amazing, rhythmic, energetic Bach.......2006-12-15

Ophelie Gaillard has achieved something remarkable with these recordings. In addition to technical brilliance and musical sensitivity, in every movement, the listener is struck by how seriously she takes these suites as dances. Even in the slow sarabandes, one is really struck by the physicality of the rhythms. The fast movements are full of rhythmic energy and generally quite quick.

Absolutely breathtaking performance!.......2005-07-24

From the first suite to the sixth suite you will come to realize Ophelie Gaillard's insightful interpretation of the Bach Six Cello Suites. It is a truly phenomenal performance as she easily changes the tonal setting for each piece contained within the suite.

I currently own at least fifteen different recordings of the Bach Six Cello Suites, and this is by far my absolute favorite performance (considering Casals, Rostropovich, and Ma). Although every connoisseur of these pieces could present a formidable argument in favor of their preferred artist's performance, I believe Ophelie Gaillard skill and interpretation rival most recordings available.

Visit her website as the first audible recording after the page loads is one piece of a suite. Be prepared to listen to this Box Set over and over again.