J. S. Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3; Pablo Casals

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000002RZZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,485 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #90 in Music > Classical > Instruments > Strings > Cello

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just pretty music, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: J. S. Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3; Pablo Casals (Audio CD)

The gushing reviews of Casal's performance on this album are deserved, but I think there's an aspect of the recording they leave out: when I first listened to this recording, I had never heard such a pure, simple composition, and Casal's interpretation adds grace and nuance to Bach's beautifully sparse suites. This collection is more than just good music, it's proof of the ability of genius (Casal's and Bach's) to take simplicity and grace and create something beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone with even the slightest interest in classical music.

And to anyone trying to decide, I would add as a footnote that I prefer this version the recording done by Mstislav Rostropovich. To my ears, Rostropovich's performance sounds a little too hurried and mechanical.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some of the greatest music ever recorded, November 19, 2004

By 

dm "danmc15" (rochester, ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: J. S. Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3; Pablo Casals (Audio CD)

These suites are absolutely beautiful and Casals conveys an emotion and depth which is unique. Everyone knows how great Casals is, and that these are probably considered his best recordings, so a comment on the sound. I haven't heard the Naxos versions yet, so I can't compare, but the sound on these two volumes is very good, with minimal hiss and popping. The cello stands out and is very bright and clear, so no one should hesitate to purchase these based upon apprehensions on sound quality.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wrestling and singing with the gods, December 26, 2010

By 

Bill Staley (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: J. S. Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3; Pablo Casals (Audio CD)

I am a humble student of Herr Bach and a much more humble student of the Cello Suites, in each case as a listener, not a musician. This recording of the Cellos Suites is very rewarding, but not particularly accessible. When I first started listening to Bach, I bought this recording and Yo-Yo Ma's Inspired by Bach. They were both too intense for me then. Beautiful, majestic, heart-rending, but I was not ready to listen to an unaccompanied cello suite.

After a few years, I read The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece. I now know more about Pau Casals and the suites, and I get more from each listening. Casals recorded each suite in a one-day session during political turmoil and in recent exile. This recording is dark and stormy. Yo-Yo Ma's is sweeter and less fierce. I also enjoy Leopold Godowsky: Transcriptions of Bach Cello Suites Nos. 2, 3, 5, which seem like Chopin playing the suites, or something somewhat like them; the challenge is to find Casals' suites in these beautiful pieces.