Bach: Cello Suites [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Heinrich Schiff (Performer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer)

Product Details

• Performer: Heinrich Schiff
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• 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.com Sales Rank: #387,587 in Music (See Bestsellers 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

22 of 28 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 (REAL NAME)

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!

8 of 9 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 (REAL NAME)

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.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars very subtle , December 26, 2004

By	Raven - See all my reviews

This is very much a matter of personal taste. Schiff plays splendidly, without doubt, but personally I rather listen to the more passionate interpretation of Rostropovich, or the baroque melancholy of Bijlsma