Best Version of Bach Cello Suites?

[The Computer Audiophile]

I just started reading this book about the Bach Cello suites, and of course started wondering which versions are considered the best. Perhaps @JoshM’s TBVO column has got me interested 🙂
 

I have one by Janos Starker that I really like. 
 

I’d love to know what other people consider the best. 

 

[firedog]

Of course, Yo Yo Ma. He has his classic older one (1983), another from 1997, and a newer interpretation from 2018.

Alisa Weilerstein has a good one that's a bit different.

David Watkin has one on period (and even older) instruments that's interesting and a bit different.

 

And for something completely different, there's Kuniko plays Bach J.S. Bach Solo Works for Marimba - arranged for marimba by Kuniko Kato.

https://open.qobuz.com/album/dfqhrx2cunkqb

 

[AnotherSpin]

I don't find Ma or Rostropovich versions particularly remarkable, even though they are probably the most popular and most often mentioned. 

 

In my opinion, nothing on record surpasses Pablo Casals' readings. Of course, the quality of his recording is very far from audiophile requirements. I like his versions on Pearl or Opus Kura more than the EMI reissues, however recent EMI was easier to listen than earlier ones.

 

Some very good archival versions include those by Pierre Fournier (he has at least four) and Janos Starker (most seem to like the Mercury version more).

 

From the newer ones, I recommend to try Anner Bylsma, Jaap ter Linden, Pieter Wispelwey, various sets.

 

Watkin is not bad either and recorded well. Heinrich Schiff is interesting.

 

Having said that, and having mentioned several choices, I would like to recommend that you try and listen to any one that catches your attention. Surely every interested listener will find recordings that are more appealing among the considerable number of versions of Bach's cello sonatas available. Happy listening!

 

[bodiebill]

My favorites are

Wispelwey 1998

Jian Wang 2003/2004

Isserlis 2005/2006

Gastinel 2007

Wispelwey 2012

Also very good:
Bylsma 1979

Wispelwey 1990

Bylsma 1992

Gaillard 2001

Kniazev 2003 (slightly eccentric)

 

Not all bad but no longer in my collection:

Casals 1938
Fournier 1959
Kirshbaum 1993
Beschi 1996/1998
Berger 1997
Tunnicliffe 2010/2011
Enders 2012/2013
Watkins 2013

 

All very personal of course.

 

 

 

[WAM]

I don't think the best version exists. I have got 11 sets in my library (this music fascinates me and surprises me every time I listen to it). A solid choice is Fournier. I listen quite a lot to Wispelwey (the Evil Penguin album), Yo Yo Ma III and Mayke Rademakers. And I really like the Kim Kashkashian album. But it's all personal preference, of course. Should give Casals again a  listen.

 

[MarcelNL]

follow the money ;-) Just look up in Discogs which record commands the most, hint; it's neither of the aforementioned artists ;-)

I have auditioned quite a few by now and I do agree with what the masses vote for with their wallet (even when prices sometimes are insane).

 

My vote goes for either Janos Starker or Pierre Fournier, or Ludwig Hoelscher, anyone willing to part with a mint mono LP for a decent price? (EDIT: I just stumbled across a reasonably priced Fournier) 

[PavelDosko]

Yes, I also prefer the version performed by Janos Starker (Mercury Living Presence 432 756 from 1965)

[bodiebill]

Interesting to see that many prefer this music as refurbished by the (post-)19th century romantic tradition, with excessive rubati, dynamics and vibrato. Paradoxically such performances mostly leave me cold.

[MarcelNL]

3 minutes ago, bodiebill said:

Interesting to see that many prefer this music as refurbished by the (post-)19th century romantic tradition, with excessive rubati, dynamics and vibrato. Paradoxically such performances mostly leave me cold.

it is isn't it...taste is very personal....

 

Many people seem to like Mitsuko Uchida's performances, those leave me cold...to each his own ;-)

 

[Al Jones]

Zuill Bailey performs on an instrument from 1693 (Octave Records, recorded in DSD). This is my personal favorite version, followed closely by David Watkins.

 

 

[bodiebill]

58 minutes ago, Al Jones said:

Zuill Bailey performs on an instrument from 1693 (Octave Records, recorded in DSD). This is my personal favorite version, followed closely by David Watkins.

 

Thanks, I did not know that one. Rather mannered to my ears and his intonation seems off. I find that Bach benefits from performers that do not put their ego before his. 

[JoeWhip]

I am no expert by any means, but this one is damn good.

 

 

[sphinxsix]

I have about a dozen versions (all of them have already been mentioned) but I'd be very hesitant to recommend any of them in this particular place, since none of them is in Dolby Atmos.. 😉

[MarcelNL]

1 minute ago, sphinxsix said:

I have about a dozen versions (all of them have already been mentioned) but I'd be very hesitant to recommend any of them in this particular place, since none of them is in Dolby Atmos.. 😉

I'm waiting for a Mono remastered Vinyl version of the Starker recording but in MQA

[The Computer Audiophile]

Anyone like the Mischa Maisky versions?

[Jud]

The David Watkin is my favorite, and here’s why: 

 

I always go for feeling over pure technical prowess. Watkin had plenty of technical prowess until he began to suffer the effects of an autoimmune disorder. The Bach was IIRC his last commercial recording. I imagine when I listen to it that I can hear him working against his disease to give this last one his all. Whether that’s actually so or not, it is just beautiful playing, full of emotion.

[The Computer Audiophile]

1 minute ago, Jud said:

 

I always go for feeling over pure technical prowess.

I love this. 

[Jud]

https://theviolinchannel.com/david-watkin-rheumatic-disease-cello-retire-performance-career/

[The Computer Audiophile]

Listening now. 
 

[AnotherSpin]

5 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Anyone like the Mischa Maisky versions?

 

I have listened to probably most of the published interpretations of Bach's Cello Suites. Some, at least in part, for an introduction. However, I don't remember even starting to listen to Misha Maisky's version. I could be wrong, but his interpretation must be overly romantic, more Tchaikovsky than Bach.

 

Chris, if you want to delve deeper into the Suites, you can not only try different artists renditions, but compare different recordings by the same performer. I've always found that intriguing. Both Wispelwey or Bylsma, for example, recorded the cycle several times. 

 

[MarcelNL]

I too find Maisky too smooth to rate his rendition in my top three, still it's enjoyable

 

 

[AnotherSpin]

1 hour ago, MarcelNL said:

I too find Maisky too smooth to rate his rendition in my top three, still it's enjoyable

 

 

 

Listened to a minute or two. Exactly what I would like to avoid in Bach's performances. But, it's ok, if someone like it, let it be so. See no reason to argue.

[Dandou]

I have a half a dozen versions of the Cello Suites. One of my favorites is the 2007 version by Jean-Guihen Queyras. 

 

I recommend listening to the 2019 violin transcription of the Suites by Rachel Podger. For me, it was a fresh, and very enjoyable rediscovery of the Suites. And the sound is great. 

 

 

[sphinxsix]

10 hours ago, Jud said:

I always go for feeling over pure technical prowess.

  

They don't exclude each other after all, IMO one of the best example is many times Maisky's music partner, Martha Argerich who while being a fantastic technician has given us so many highly emotionally charged performances.

 

5 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

I could be wrong, but his interpretation must be overly romantic, more Tchaikovsky than Bach.

That's also how I remember a quick listen to his versions.

 

5 hours ago, AnotherSpin said:

Both Wispelwey or Bylsma, for example, recorded the cycle several times. 

There are also two recordings by Maisky, AFAI remember they are quite similar, the second one, I think was a bit faster.

 

4 hours ago, MarcelNL said:

I too find Maisky too smooth to rate his rendition in my top three

Same here, he didn't even make it to my top dozen.

OTOH I'd also highly recommend this recording (I'm even bigger fan of Podger after seeing her live recently, she's my favorite baroque violinist):

 

58 minutes ago, Dandou said:

I recommend listening to the 2019 violin transcription of the Suites by Rachel Podger. For me, it was a fresh, and very enjoyable rediscovery of the Suites. And the sound is great. 

 

 

 

 

10 hours ago, The Computer Audiophile said:

Listening now. 
 

 

👍 Also IMO - a very good performance!

 

[AnotherSpin]

1 hour ago, Dandou said:

I have a half a dozen versions of the Cello Suites. One of my favorites is the 2007 version by Jean-Guihen Queyras. 

 

I recommend listening to the 2019 violin transcription of the Suites by Rachel Podger. For me, it was a fresh, and very enjoyable rediscovery of the Suites. And the sound is great. 

 

 

 

 

This is something I definitely find kinky, Cello Suites on violin. Or, piano sonatas on drums or organ fugues on balalaika. Is there not enough music written for literally every instrument possible? Or, are Bach's Cello Suites not good enough to be performed on the cello? But, again and all over again. Since it's there, let it be. The world is imperfect and will never conform to my ideal view of what it should be. And since it is so, so be it. And I have no difficulty at all in accepting and leaving behind something that already exists independently of me and in no way depends on me. Everything is fine.

 

Podger is fine violinist, no doubt.