Customer Reviews

Yo-Yo Ma - Simply Baroque II ~ Bach & Boccherini / ABO, Koopman

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Music: Both Vol 1 and this disc are really about Bach and Boccherini -- no other baroque composers are offered. I tend to think of Boccherini as early classical, not baroque. However this is all wonderful music, and a good juxtaposition of composers, even if the title is a little misleading.

Having decided make transcriptions of Bach works written for other combinations a core offering of both this disc and the earlier vol 1, YoYo Ma avoids merely rehashing the warhorses that we have heard in endless arrangements and focused on less frequently transcribed works. All of them will be familiar to an avid Bach listener, but he goes way beyound the stereo-typed Jesu, Joy and Sheep May Safely Graze type of arrangements. Many of the selections are pieces that were Bach's own favorites as evidenced by the multiple versions that he himself circulated. I think the effectiveness of Ton Koopman's arrangements is a key component of the musical success of these albums.

The Performances: A very effective partnership between a early music group and a performer using a modified modern setup. It has the crispness and lightness and nuanced articulation that are hallmarks of the HIP (historically informed performance) movement without sounding academic in any way.

I have a very large classical CD collection and I keep listening to this one over and over. I would recommend it both to newcomers to classical music and to experienced classical listeners.

I just bought this CD and I must say it is truly an inspiration. Yo Yo Ma has to be the greatest cello in recent history. I think he has surpassed the artistic achievements of Rostropovich. This new Baroque album is even better than the first. The playing is flawless. The best part of Ma's playing is the sound he creates with his cello. It is such a warm, beautiful, and focused sound. One can't help but catch the feeling these composers were trying to create when he plays them.

First of all, most of the pieces are by Bach, who was the genius of geniuses composer. Yo Yo Ma has taken familiar parts of cantatas and transcribed them into beautiful pieces for cello. Certainly, this CD is a must hear. Full heartedly recommended.

This album truly lives up to all we have come to expect of the world's most prominent cellist. Ma's sweet nuances do wonders for the classic baroque pieces, bringing these standards to life in a most enchanting way. Unfortunately, only two composers are showcased in this recording (but the pieces prove to be good selections). Well worth your time and money.

I discovered the first CD of these two when sailing in British Columbia this summer and played it over and over again when sipping wine under fine sunsets in the San Juan and Gulf Islands. There can be no better accompainment to the soft rocking of the boat and a fine wine. This second CD is as wonderful as the first. Pure lisening pleasure.

Yo-Yo Ma is known for having a rather wide repertoire. But he's known most of all for excelling in whatever he chooses to play. This disc features him playing Baroque music - Period Baroque, in fact. He's teamed up with a remarkable authentic band, namely the Amsterdam Baroque. While I'm far from being a die-hard supporter of the so-called authentic stuff ("authentic" means the music is played on period instruments and tuned like it would have been back then), I am extremely pleased with this particular effort. Authentic music can come across lacking depth and vitality. But not here. Ton Koopman, who conducts his group from the harpsichord, brings some remarkable detail and charm out of this music. And Ma? Well, he fits in marvelously with his Period friends. All musicians involved seem to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. The end result is one that leaves me fighting the tears. We vigor and excitement one minute, and breathtaking beauty the next. While our musicians keep in the gravity that is essential in this music, they never make it forced.

Friends, this is awesome stuff. Please do yourself a favor and buy it.

I own both Simply Baroque and Simply Baroque II. I think both offer the listener a truly beautiful listening experience. Yo Yo Ma and Tom Koopman have created magic here. The recording is crystal clear and the music... it's just incredible. I find myself relaxed, involved, immersed - a part of the music itself. How often does this happen? If you enjoy music that moves you body and soul, you really owe it to yourself to purchase both of these Cds.

If you enjoy cello music and classical music, this is a great CD with one of the best cellist's out there. I bought it to hear how these period pieces should sound. I'll be happy if I can even get to half the quality of performance Ya exhibits. If you enjoy classical works and may not have any cello music in particular, this album is a good, enjoyable selection for any collection.

Although I am not a musician or music expert, I can listen to this music many times and not get tired of it. It has the qualities embedded in it which I look for to keep me interested in its passages. Classical music such as this style should be mandatory listening in our school systems which are looking for things worth teaching. The pre-teens minds are being diluted with the current pop music. Our youth have little appreciation for the great things in life.

As I said, just a logical continuation from Yo-Yo's very good work developed with great love with ABO, absolutely a must-to-have these series I & II.

This CD offers music from two composers, J. S. Bach and L. Boccherini. Several famous pieces from each composer are included here as performed by Yo Yo Ma. Having heard all the pieces before on other CD's, I did not like the instrumentation offered here. Many of the pieces were quite subtle and played with too little life. The instrumentation was too little as most of these pieces sound better with a whole symphony playing it, where here it was only a couple of instruments. Overall, not that great a CD.