Cello Suites [Original recording remastered]

Bach (Artist), Schiff (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00004Z34I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,246 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

EMI's bargain reissue of Schiff's Bach joins the handful of preferred recordings of the Suites. Schiff's big-toned, dynamic style of playing was heard in some outstanding concerto recordings and he modifies it for Bach, lightening the tone for the swinging dance movements, broadening for soulful slow movements, narrowing dynamics to preserve stylistic correctness. He's always idiomatic, playing within the constraints of Baroque style, but bringing each piece to life with a dazzling variety of color and dynamics. This is imaginative playing of the sort rarely heard from either old-fashioned Romanticists or from cramped "authentic instrument" types. There are plenty of fine versions of these great works, from Pablo Casals's pioneering recordings of the 1930s to more recent ones such as János Starker's, but Schiff's joins them among the select few. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Two Guides Must Be Correct: Marvelous, December 7, 2002

By 

Dr. Alan D. Kardoff "animal lover" (Palm Bay, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cello Suites (Audio CD)

I set out to try and get a copy of the "rosette" performance of the Bach Cello Suites. In the process I found that Penguin awards the Rosette to Rostropovich while Gramophone feels that Casals is best. What does this mean? Digging deeper I found that Gramophone and the Casals reviewers put much more emphasis on the inital recording techniques, remastering and sheer artistry than the CD itself. In contrast, Rostropovich was valued very highly by some but also viewed as overdone. To me Rostropovich remains. But what is second. Gendron? Ma? Fournier?
Schiff's CD was rated second by Penguin and third by Gramophone. Moreover, Schiff's performance is evenly balanced, displays great artistry and the best presentation for both the purists and newcomers to classical music. Ma has the name and fame. Fournier is known. Casals is great with top of the line
acoustical equipment.

Schiff is not as well known to the general public. But, if a few more start listening with both ears, ignoring stereotyped
popularity and seek the joy that Bach has written and
Schiff presents, there is no doubt that there will be a Schiff
Set on shelves next to Rostropovich, Casals et. al. Moreover, the Schiff set will show more wear. This performance is
thoughtful, delightful and expresses consistent artistry
throught the six suites. Highly recommended!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, November 14, 2004

By 

B. Carter (Greensboro, NC United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cello Suites (Audio CD)

This is one of the best recordings of the Bach suites that I have heard (being a cellist, that's quite a few). Schiff's understanding of the balance between historic and modern performance practice is unmatched. He has made very wise choices concerning tempos, articulations, ornaments, and phrasing. This recording is a joy to listen to.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic and flowing - one of the best Bach Suites, April 24, 2008

By 

Huang, Yu-chun "euhuang" (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cello Suites (Audio CD)

This Album is certainly one of the best (and my favorite) Bach Cell Suites. The music played by Schiff is dynamic and flowing, while maitaining the "posture" of pure Bach. Unlike another reviewer said, I don't think the first Suite Prelude is too fast, unless you already get used to Casals' & Fournier's tempo. On the other hand, Schiff's tempo is not much different from Bylsma's and Rostropovich's (well, a bit faster indeed!). The phrase from Schiff's bowing sounds like he is playing a Baroque cello, but the actual sound effect is more dynamic. Get it and listen to it, and you will consider Schiff's Bach one of the best and is no inferior to other big names.