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 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,410 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 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 (Fairbanks, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach Cello Suites (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...

27 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath taking, March 9, 2010

By 

Eric Gross "www.liberationfromthelie.com" (Philadelphia Suburbs) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bach Cello Suites (Audio CD)

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?
Liberation from the Lie: Cutting the Roots of Fear Once and for All

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

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

By 

Roberta B. Rinehart "Sitka Mama" (Sitka, AK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach Cello Suites (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!