Christian Tetzlaff Ralph Kirshbaum Johann Sebastian Bach - Bach Cello Suites Sonatas Partitas for Solo Violin Christian Tetzlaff Ralph Kirshbaum 4 CDs (67 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Bach: Cello Suites, Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin - Christian Tetzlaff & Ralph Kirshbaum (4 CD's)

Christian Tetzlaff, Ralph Kirshbaum, Johann Sebastian Bach
Bach: Cello Suites, Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin - Christian Tetzlaff & Ralph Kirshbaum (4 CD's)
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
1. Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: 1. Adagio
2. Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: 2. Fuga (Allegro)
3. Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: 3. Siciliana
4. Sonata for solo violin No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001: 4. Presto
5. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: 1. Allemanda
6. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: Double
7. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: 2. Corrente
8. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: Double (Presto)
9. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: 3. Sarabande
10. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: Double
11. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: 4. Bourr?e
12. Partita for solo violin No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002: Double
13. Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003: 1. Grave
14. Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003: 2. Fuga
15. Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003: 3. Andante
16. Sonata for solo violin No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003: 4. Allegro
Track Listings (15) - Disc #2
1. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: 1. Allemanda
2. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: 2. Corrente
3. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: 3. Sarabanda
4. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: 4. Giga
5. Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: 5. Ciaccona
6. Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: 1. Adagio
7. Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: 2. Fuga
8. Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: 3. Largo
9. Sonata for solo violin No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005: 4. Allegro assai
10. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 1. Preludio
11. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 2. Loure
12. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 3. Gavotte en rondo
13. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 4. Menuet 1 - Menuet 2
14. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 5. Bourr?e
15. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: 6. Gigue
Track Listings (18) - Disc #3
1. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 1. Pr?lude
2. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 2. Allemande
3. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 3. Courante
4. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 4. Sarabande
5. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 5. Menuet 1 & 2
6. Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007: 6. Gigue
7. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 1. Pr?lude
8. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 2. Allemande
9. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 3. Courante
10. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 4. Sarabande
11. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 5. Bourr?e 1 & 2
12. Suite for solo cello No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009: 6. Gigue
13. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 1. Pr?lude
14. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 2. Allemande
15. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 3. Courante
16. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 4. Sarabande
17. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 5. Gavotte 1 & 2
18. Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011: 6. Gigue
Track Listings (18) - Disc #4
1. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 1. Pr?lude
2. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 2. Allemande
3. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 3. Courante
4. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 4. Sarabande
5. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 5. Menuet 1 & 2
6. Suite for solo cello No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008: 6. Gigue
7. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 1. Pr?lude
8. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 2. Allemande
9. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 3. Courante
10. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 4. Sarabande
11. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 5. Bourr?e 1 & 2
12. Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010: 6. Gigue
13. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 1. Pr?lude
14. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 2. Allemande
15. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 3. Courante
16. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 4. Sarabande
17. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 5. Gavotte 1 & 2
18. Suite for solo cello No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012: 6. Gigue

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CD Details

All Artists: Christian Tetzlaff, Ralph Kirshbaum, Johann Sebastian Bach
Title: Bach: Cello Suites, Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin - Christian Tetzlaff & Ralph Kirshbaum (4 CD's)
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: EMI Classics
Release Date: 11/16/2004
Album Type: Box set
Genre: Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750), Classical (c.1770-1830), Instruments, Strings
Number of Discs: 4
SwapaCD Credits: 4
UPC: 724356237421

CD Reviews

Excellent overall

kelsie | Plainview, Texas United States | 03/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two works presented in this bargain set represent Johann Sebastian Bach's greatest contribution to the solo string reportoire.

Although usually marginalized, the Cello Suites are hidden diamonds in the solo literature, requiring a depth of humanity and musicality that few performers actually achieve, so concerned as they are with simply hacking away at this seemingly simple music. Kirshbaum's reading is full of warmth and power, and his instrument (from Bach's time period) sings almost of its own accord. Tempi are just right; the sense of pacing in the G Major Prelude is magnificent, giving the piece a gently rocking feel. Kirshbaum's double stopping (as called for by many of the Allemanda movements) is impeccable and very clean; the harsh, biting sound such double-stopping requires from other performers is not present here.

The focal point of the set is, of course, Christian Tetzlaff's reading of the Six Solos. In comparison with the "big names," such as Perlman, Milstein, and Grumiaux, Tetzlaff cannot quite compete. His tempi are exceedingly swift, and he lacks much of the humanity present in Milstein and Menuhin. As a result, the quicker movements, such as the E Major Preludio and the B minor Doubles, sound less like the masterpieces they are and more like simple etudes to be sawed away on.

Tetzlaff's traversal of the Chaconne, however, is a breathless, exciting journey, and he is in top form during the massive fugues in each sonata. The recording location, while resonant, allows the violin's sound to sing without losing it in a sea of reverb. Although he suffers from tempi issues, Tetzlaff's technique is never in doubt, and he is solid and secure (perhaps even a bit too secure) during this recording.

Overall, despite issues with tempi in the Six Solos, this set is a great bargain, and hopefully Tetzlaff will decide to record these pieces again later in life."

Unbelievable!

Dorothy Braker | New Hampshire | 10/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both these artists are exceptional. I have always had trouble listening to "anybody else's interpretation" of the bach cello suites, being a cellist myself. This one is truly outstanding. The excellent Bach solo violin interpretation by Christian Tetzlaff is just an added plus -- I was most impressed that my father listened through all the way and just made one or two comments about how the music was "alive". He was rapt. My father doesn't do that easily."

Wonderful

Redmond Geek | 01/10/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been listening to and studying Bach's solo cello and violin works for over 30 years. Although I love this music dearly, it's rare that I'm surprized by it anymore. However, listening to Tetzlaff and Kirshbaum, I felt as if I were hearing them for the first time all over again. Both musicians are such masters of their instruments that their "technique" never intrudes on the music. These are really breathtaking performances."

An Unbelievable Price for Exceptional Performances

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 09/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These performances -- by two of our best artists, Christian Tetzlaff, violin, and Ralph Kirshbaum, cello -- were originally issued at full price on Virgin in 1994 and they got good reviews then. Ten years later Virgin Classics, for reasons I can't quite fathom, has repackaged these four CDs in a single box at an unbelievable super-budget price. I had heard about the cello suites from a cellist friend and when I saw this bargain box I had to have them. (I had owned the Tetzlaff sonatas and partitas for years.) Well, since I got them I've hardly listened to anything else. Kirshbaum's 1729 Domenico Montagnana cello is a gorgeous instrument with a rich, velvety tone that has marvelous overtones. Kirshbaum plays the suites as to the manner born. I love the recordings by Rostropovich and Ma, to name a couple of versions on modern instruments, and the Kirshbaum ranks right up there with them. His reading is elegantly flowing and he imparts a joie de vivre to the dance forms.

Tetzlaff has always been an imaginative and thoughtful player. He can sometimes be a bit aggressive but that is not in evidence here. He is a master of Bach's contrapuntal writing, even at its densest. The Chaconne of the Second Partita is taken faster and a bit lighter than it is often heard and there is not only technical security but suave phrasing. He is able to give the impression of spontaneity while still conveying utter conviction about the music's form. This is a magnificent set of performances. Tetzlaff has recorded the Sonatas and Partitas just recently on the Hänssler label and they, too, are superb. I believe the later version is probably better by a hair if only because in the intervening years Tetzlaff, who was only in his twenties when he made the present recordings, has matured a bit and his playing is, if anything, more secure. Still, I love this earlier set, too. And you simply cannot beat the price!

Scott Morrison"