Search - Johann Sebastian Bach :: Bach: Six Unaccompanied Cello Suites

Straightforward but soulful

David C. Moses | Taipei, Taiwan | 06/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own three popular recordings of the Bach cello suites and can check out two others from a local library. But this recording is by far the one that I listen to most often. One reason has to be the quality of the recording, which I think is generally acknowledged. But more important are Ma's impeccable technique and good musical taste: he plays what Bach wrote, and plays it more clearly and with less unnecessary embellishment than anyone else I have heard. (Call me a purist if you want to, but in my opinion piling on the rubato does not convert the cello suites into a mystical experience.)When I applaud Ma's technique and say that he plays what Bach wrote, I am not implying that he plays mechanically -- not at all. He plays quite soulfully in my opinion. For example, he brings the Gigue of Suite 1 to life as Casals and Starker, at least, do not. He does that with dynamic variation, and by controlling the tone of his cello, mixing sweet phrases with scratchy ones. I wish that Gigue were included in Amazon's samples, as it would put to rest any charges of mechanical playing.One customer reviewer said that if the name Ma were taken off the package, all that would remain would be another mediocre rendition of Bach's cello suites. I disagree strongly. I bought the recording on a friend's recommendation, and was not particularly a Ma fan at that time. It is this recording that made me a Ma fan. Of course, my opinion about this recording is not intended to take away from other great performances. And I haven't heard the later Ma recording yet; maybe it is even better. But as far as I'm concerned, Ma's great technique and straightforward yet soulful approach to the suites should allow this recording to stand proudly among the best of them."

Not the best recordings of this music

David C. Moses | 04/11/1999

(1 out of 5 stars)

"In this repertoire Fournier and Casals are both better; Rostropovich is best. To be fair, Ma is a world-class cellist who has produced some fine recordings. But here the young Ma must compete with masters, and these performances, made early in Ma's career, come up short. (A Yo-Yo Ma acolyte may, however, find much to enjoy in the viridity Ma's playing.) If you want another opinion, check Gramaphone Magazine's reviews online. Or buy all of these recordings as I have and compare for yourself."

This CD makes my life richer each time I listen to it.

David C. Moses | 09/23/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always found Bach to be tolerable, alright as background music for studying because it was not alive enought to distract me.However, When I heard Yo-Yo Ma playing these cello suites, I was truly moved. Each time I listen to it, the music draws me in and I ride on the waves of his cello. The performance feels so personal to me because occasionally, you can hear Yo-Yo Ma's breathing, sometimes sharp inhalation, sometimes drawn out- it creates an image in my mind of what he looks like and is feeling while he plays these pieces, and it takes me there too. This CD has made classical music come alive to me. It is a very personal, sensual CD."