Search - Patricia McCarty :: Six Cello Suites performed on viola

An Excellent Performance

josh1000 | West Hollywood, CA USA | 09/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It seems that suddenly a lot of violists are mustering the nerve to record the Bach 'Cello Suites, and with good reason: the pieces work well on the viola-- so well that noted baroque 'cellist Anner Bylsma has even theorized that the Suites might have been originally written for the viola. At any rate, given how liberal Bach was about transcribing, it seems he wouldn't have had a problem with modern-day violists' adoption of this splendid repertoire.Ms. McCarty's playing is excellent on all levels-- technically solid, very expressive, and respectful of the music. She avoids the excessive liberties and cheap sentimentality often heard in performances of these pieces. The playing is clean and disciplined-- and yet it isn't hard or unsympathetic. With a nice, full, round viola sound, she creates a satisfying listening experience.Interesting is her daring choice to play the 6th Suite in the original key of D-major-- a decision that makes some of the slower polyphonic movements very awkward on the viola. She comes through with flying colors, however-- the Sarabande is as flowing and tender as any version I've heard.This is an excellent interpretation of the Suites all around. I highly recommend it, especially to other violists."

McCarty's Bach is magnificent

Michael W Kimber | Hattiesburg, MS United States | 05/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a viola professor who has taught and performed Bach Suites for nearly thirty years, I was delighted when I learned that Patricia McCarty had recorded all six. Already familiar with her superb recordings of Rebecca Clarke's Sonata and other works, I was eager to hear her interpretation of Bach. It is simply magnificent. The playing is exemplary -- not only beautiful in sound, but also musically intelligent and sensitive. Having heard so many performers play Bach as though it were nineteenth-century music, I found it refreshing that Ms. McCarty has given much thought to, and obviously has much respect for, playing Bach in a manner which is stylistically appropriate. At the same time, this is performing which speaks from the heart, not just from the intellect.I am very happy to have this CD in my personal collection. I have recommended it for purchase by our university's music library, I am recommending it to my students, and I recommend it highly to anyone who loves hearing Bach played beautifully with exquisitely good taste.Michael Kimber, Associate Professor (Viola), School of Music, The University of Southern Mississippi"

McCarty's Bach

Michael A. Palumbo | Ogden Utah | 07/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Patricia's performance of these suites is absolutely wonderful. Her playing is clean and technically of the highest level. I'm highly impressed with the amount of analyzation which has obviously gone into the preparation of each of the suites. This preparation has resulted in performances which admirably bring to life Bach's command of single line contrapuntal composition techniques.Of special interest to me is McCarty's use of ornamentation. Never overstated, her ornamentation enhances Bach's flowing musical lines in all instances."