Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Prelude (Suite #1 in G major)
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Menuet I - Menuet II
6. Gigue
7. Prelude (Suite # 2 in D minor)
8. Allemande
9. Courante
10. Sarabande
11. Menuet I - Menuet II
12. Gigue
13. Prelude (Suite # 3 in C major)
14. Allemande
15. Courante
16. Sarabande
17. Bouree I - Bouree II
18. Gigue
19. Prelude (Suite # 4 in E flat major)
20. Allemande
21. Courante
22. Sarabande
23. Bourree I - Bourree II
24. Gigue

Disc 2:

1. Prelude (Suite # 5 in C minor)
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Gavotte I - Gavotte II
6. Gigue
7. Prelude (Suite # 6 in D major)
8. Allemande
9. Courante
10. Sarabande
11. Gavotte I - Gavotte II
12. Gigue
13. The Song of the Birds (Catalan folksong- arranged by Sally Beamish
14. Prelude from Suite # 1 (from Anna Magdalena manuscript)
15. Prelude from Suite # 1 (from the John Peter Kellner manuscript)
16. Prelude from Suite # 1 (from the collection of JOhann Christoph

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11607 in Music
• Released on: 2007-04-30
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .25 pounds
• Running time: 137 minutes

Customer Reviews

A magnificent recording
I have loved the Bach Cello Suites ever since I was an almost talent-free teenage cellist getting on for 40 years ago, and in that time I have heard (and often bought) wonderful recordings by some of the world's very greatest cellists including Casals, Tortelier, Fournier and Yo-Yo Ma. Isserlis's recording stands with the very best of them. He is a magnificent musician and has thought and studied for years before tackling the Bach Suites. This shows in his delightful involvement in the music, the way the dances really dance when they should and how the very soul of the music and of Bach shines through what he does. Joy, sorrow, beauty and passion are all beautifully evoked, and it's all exactly appropriate - no flashy tricks or dodgy imposition of things which aren't really there. There is just a deep understanding and love of Bach's music. The whole thing is a monumental pleasure.

The accompanying notes are extremely interesting. They show both the depth of Isserlis's scholarship and his thoughtfulness about the Suites. I particularly like the section headed "A personal feeling (definitely not a theory!)" in which he suggests that the suites may be seen as akin to Mystery Sonatas - an interesting and thought-provoking viewpoint, which never interferes with the music itself.

The recording quality is excellent. It is miked very close, giving an intimate feel - so intimate that you can hear the slap of Isserlis's fingers in the livelier parts. I love the sense this gives of his being in the room with you, and the sound of his cello is simply lovely throughout.

In the face of the greatness of some of the recordings which have preceded this one, I couldn't say this was definitive, nor even that it was my absolute favourite. But then I couldn't say that of any of the others either. I do know that if I had to choose just one recording to live with, this would be a very strong contender. Very highly recommended indeed.

A magnificent achievement.
This is a truly remarkable performance which has even eclipsed the revered Casals recording in my affections. There are aspects of it which catch the familiar listener off-guard, not least the extremely slow sarabandes which are clearly part of the interpretative license Isserlis takes. (There are, in fact, few markings in the score to indicate the speed, or so I believe, so ultimately I guess it is a question of how the individual listener is convinced, moved, or carried away by the approach.) I find the music making utterly involving. Over and over I find myself pausing in whatever I might be doing and completely taken over by the beauty of playing and the music, which is what good playing serves. This is not 'show off' music-making, but sublime. What a wonderful thing Isserlis has presented his father to celebrate his 90th year!

The Ultimate Recording
Steven Isserlis has waited a long time to record the Suites and it shows. This is the most sublime recording you will ever hear. It is how you would not only play it if you were a cellist but how you would hear it in your heart. It is simple, unpretentious and a companion throughout the rest of life. the music speaks for itself through him and this is the biggest compliment I can give. Buy it. It's a classic.