Customer Reviews

Bach: Suites for Solo Stringed Instruments [Box Set]

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Personal like or dislike aside, no one would argue that Maisky's First recording of the Cello Suites is the natural top contender among the myriad of choices in this repertoire. Maisky himself thought they were a joke and went on to record them again. (Watching the DVDs of this performance, I actually found them very pleasing... and they are less wilfull than MM's remake.) Few customers would buy this set specifically for these recordings, but I don't see many being disappointed with having them.

Mintz, too, isn't a front-runner... but the technical excellence of his playing combined with his extraordinarily mellifluous approach makes this the most lyrical performance of the Bach P&S that I know. It's highly recommended as an alternate version to whatever your favorite may be. (Mine are Milstein, Podger, and perhaps Julia Fischer.) Apart from getting Soelscher's Lute works, specifically Mintz was the reason for me to get this set... which remains a bargain and covers the Bach solo-work bases very nicely. Recommended to neophytes and veterans alike.

I do not know why DG put Maisky and Mintz on this album. I don't like how they interpret Bach. They insert too much of their own personality into their performances and not enough Bach. For the solo cello, I suggest Maurice Gendron on the Philips label, and for the solo violin, I suggest Arthur Grumiaux also on the Philips label. For the violin:Bach: Complete Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin and the following for the cello: Bach: The 6 Cello Suites