Bach: Cello Suites

Zuill Bailey (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 2, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B0030GBSVQ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,268 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Cellist Zuill Bailey releases his Bach Suites for Solo Cello on February 2, 2010. All six suites were recorded in one week at the American Academy of Arts and Letters in New York City in December, 2008, following years of preparation by Mr. Bailey. "I was unaware of the depths of the music as a young person, but came to realize that there are so many ways of interpreting Bach that it channels where a cellist is at that precise moment. It has become such a personal journey for me."

Zuill Bailey performs on a 1693 Matteo Gofriller Cello, formerly owned by Mischa Schneider of the Budapest String Quartet. The first surviving manuscripts of Bach's Cello Suites date from the middle and late 1720's. Bach's Suites disappeared from public view during the decades after his death. It was not until the early 20th century, when cellist Pablo Casals helped the works emerge from obscurity. "My evolution with these pieces mirrors the way the Bach Suites were actually perceived over the centuries. This has been my greatest musical undertaking so far," Bailey said.

Today, cellists regard the works as the pinnacle of their repertoire. "The Bach Cello Suites are the center point of my existence, and I think I speak for all cellists when I say that the music is the Cellistic Bible." Bailey adds, "For me, Bach is the mirror to the soul, and this recording of the Cello Suites truly reflects what is inside of me."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars He's found the joy in this music February 22, 2010

By Dennis Witmer VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

I bought this CD yesterday (2/21/10), after watching Zuill Bailey at a concert in Fairbanks--his performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto was stunning with the orchestra; alive, precise, engaged--and then for his encore, he played two of the movements from the Bach Cello suites--he captured the audience with his music. My son is a young cellist, and someone rigged the seating arrangements so we had a front row seat to watch him perform--and it was a theatrical performance--his body language and his breathing both seemed at times over the top, almost as if they might overshadow the music. But somehow he came down on the right side of the line--he convinced me that his performance was based on an understanding of the music--an honest attempt to express the feelings of the music with the audience. At the end of his second encore he held the last note for what seemed like an eternity, that faded into a silence that lasted for perhaps twenty seconds (my son told me today he counted to 20...)

I've been listening to the CD almost continuously since I got home from the concert--the music is familiar--I've owned the Rostropovich double CD of the Bach Suites since it's release--but I always found his interpretation to be mournful, full of Russian sadness. When the Berlin wall fell and I heard that Rostropovich sat by the checkpoint playing the Bach Cello Suites "because of the joy" I wondered what he was talking about. But Bailey shows that Rostropovich was right--this is music of joy, and Bailey is out to prove it. And I'm happy to listen to his proof...

28 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath taking March 9, 2010

By Eric Gross VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I've listened to these suites for more years than I would care to admit, yet I have never heard a performance of them with the life, feeling, and depth of these by Bailey. Prior to purchasing these, I had never heard of him. His interpretation of these works emphasizes the great sweep of melody and energy of what are, truly, dances, and yet in the sarabandes they whisper with such incredible subtlety and magic, without making them bland through over-refinement. I have owned the Yo-Yo Ma, Isserlis, Fournier, Starker, and Bylsma performances and none of them have the commanding power of Bailey's. I've also listen to one of the Casals recordings and while it was this recording which first introduced these works to me, the age of the sound has become a detriment. If you love this music check out the samples, I hope you can hear them as I have.
One proviso, my love for this recording has had the unfortunate consequence of my listening to my hundreds of other classical disks far less frequently. Could this performance be too good?

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Bach by Bailey June 5, 2010

By Roberta B. Rinehart

Format:Audio CD

Zuill Bailey's handprint on these Suites brings the music to life, and his attention to every note and nuance demonstrates an understanding of the emotional appeal of Bach. From the popular Prelude to the First Suite, to the sensual Sarabande of the Fifth Suite, Bailey's technique, artistry and finesse makes this recording one to remember and one to keep close by.

Bailey not only touched hearts, but minds in his thoughtful discussion of Bach's music and his experiences in his recent interview on NPR's Weekend Edition. His approach to Bach's extraordinary compositions will certainly open up a whole new world of classical music to another eager generation.

Those of us who are lucky enough to be in Sitka, Alaska during the month of June ([...]) will be able to experience his playing personally. The rest of the year, we will keep this CD in our cars and on our iPods. I recommend that you do the same!