Recommendations for music with Cello and Barogue?

[Mike]

I, too, like Miroslav Rostropovitch's playing of Bach's Cello-Suiten 1-6, mentioned above by Frantz.

 

[LL21]

Yes, i would probably say that is my 2nd favorite after Starker. Then of the others i have heard/own, probably Fournier, then du Pre.

 

[FrantzM]

Am I the only Dupre Fan here on WBF? Just asking ? . Her recordings were standard EMI fare i-e not bad but the music she played from any composer is to die . RIP , Jacqueline, you were one of the GOAT.

 

[RBFC]

Am I the only Dupre Fan here on WBF? Just asking ? . Her recordings were standard EMI fare i-e not bad but the music she played from any composer is to die . RIP , Jacqueline, you were one of the GOAT.

Frantz,

Jacqueline Dupre was unmatched in her interpretations of some pieces (i.e. Elgar) but other pieces IMO have serious competition from Starker, Rostropovich, Ma, and other contemporaries! To even be named among any of these artists places one in the all-time top echelon.

Lee

 

[LL21]

Am I the only Dupre Fan here on WBF? Just asking ? . Her recordings were standard EMI fare i-e not bad but the music she played from any composer is to die . RIP , Jacqueline, you were one of the GOAT.

I have her entire EMI recording collection...i enjoy much of her works, but i personally enjoy the bach cello suites by Starker, Rostroprovich and Fournier more. I also prefer Yo Yo Ma...though it is almost a bit too academic and technically perfect for me with a touch less Fournier/soul in it.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

So between those choices...Fournier, Starker, Rostropovich and Yo Yo Ma, who of those would be a better choice for a novice like me? I was tempted to pick up the Starker boxset, but at over $100.....I'm not so sure.

 

[LL21]

So between those choices...Fournier, Starker, Rostropovich and Yo Yo Ma, who of those would be a better choice for a novice like me? I was tempted to pick up the Starker boxset, but at over $100.....I'm not so sure.

Hi John.

A question of personal choice, so I'll give you a personal answer which is in the only one i can share.

1. it largely depends on how much you love Bach and the Cello suites. Of my 1,100 CDs, i probably own 50% classical and of that, Bach represents over 25% of the classical. I have pretty much got nearly all of his works in some form other, and as a result have a few additional versions of things like Brandenburg, Cello Suites and Goldberg Variations...

2. If you want to enjoy Bach but are not going to be critical, I think Rostropovich is the way to go...great technician, very, very polished but still a slight human/emotional element to his interpretation. Good recording...And great value for money. Personally, I do prefer Starker...but he costs 7x for the revered Mercury Living SACD...and i only decided to buy it AFTER picking up much of Rostropovich's work on sale, plus already had Fournier Bach Cello...and had most of du Pre's EMI work on sale...and realized how much i really enjoy Bach Cello suites.

My two cents.

 

[LL21]

Frantz,

Jacqueline Dupre was unmatched in her interpretations of some pieces (i.e. Elgar) but other pieces IMO have serious competition from Starker, Rostropovich, Ma, and other contemporaries! To even be named among any of these artists places one in the all-time top echelon.

Lee

I think i quite enjoy her Brahms as well. Very sad what happened to her...degenerative disease i think. I believe she was married to Daniel Barenboim, the conductor/pianist?...they did some pieces together as well. i think one of the stories is that some of her best recordings were done when one day she woke up after months of debilitating pain...and had unusually good muscular control...they went straight into the studio to record immediately for a couple of days while the 'good spell' lasted.

 

[LL21]

John

No conversation about Cello can be conduced without mentioning Jacqueline Dupre. Many consider her the finest of the 20th century and likely one of the best ever... She died at a very early age (42 I believe) and by the ripe age of 28 could no longer perform because of crippling arthritis. There are some LP of her performance out there, I had a few EMI myself but if it is the music you crave you will find almost ALL her work on CD.
I should also mention Miroslav Rostropovitch. A fine, very fine cellist, precise and smooth, ultimately much less lyrical than Dupre and I would say that he was a practician of the Cello not a lover of the instrument as Dupre was ...
Here some from both:

Elgar: Cello Concerto; Bach: Cello Suites, #1 & #2

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51yP8U2UrLL._SS400_.jpg

This set has about 15 CD and is to me a must for anyone who loves the Cello. Of course you will find her rendition of The Elgar Cello concerto which by all account inckuding that of Elgar himself is "defintive".. prepare yourself for Kleenex tissues and goosebumps .. This is the kind of msic one listen alone or with really close and understanding friends ... Her rendition is that good

Jacqueline Du Pré - The Complete EMI Recordings [Box Set]

Very, very good also.

Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6

Bach: Suites for Solo Cello; Sonatas in G & D Major

Ok for that one (which I happen to have) you may have to fish quite a bit ... rather expensive but you can find it ... I did a few years ago and the price wasn't so royal.

There is alot more for these will give you a wiff of how good these people were... A bit if trivia Yo-Yo Ma's Stradivarius is Jacqueline Dupre's very own Cello, a gift from her grandmother or godmother ... He is a very good cellist, he is in my opinion not at the level of Dupre or Rostropovitch, few ever were...

I own all 3 of these and enjoy each tremendously.

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Hi John.

A question of personal choice, so I'll give you a personal answer which is in the only one i can share.

1. it largely depends on how much you love Bach and the Cello suites. Of my 1,100 CDs, i probably own 50% classical and of that, Bach represents over 25% of the classical. I have pretty much got nearly all of his works in some form other, and as a result have a few additional versions of things like Brandenburg, Cello Suites and Goldberg Variations...

2. If you want to enjoy Bach but are not going to be critical, I think Rostropovich is the way to go...great technician, very, very polished but still a slight human/emotional element to his interpretation. Good recording...And great value for money. Personally, I do prefer Starker...but he costs 7x for the revered Mercury Living SACD...and i only decided to buy it AFTER picking up much of Rostropovich's work on sale, plus already had Fournier Bach Cello...and had most of du Pre's EMI work on sale...and realized how much i really enjoy Bach Cello suites.

My two cents.

This is wonderful...opinions from someone with real knowledge and appreciation of Cello/Barogue. I'm just stabbing in the dark here and have no clue, so your input is most appreciated. Are there any albums you could direct me to?

 

[LL21]

Ahem Frantz....did we forget about Pablo Casals?

Sorry to admit it...but here is where my Audiophile self cannot help but butt in...the recordings i have heard of Casals are sooo messy. Maybe i was unlucky...i have not explored much after hearing 2 cds and there was just static and noise. I admit the playing was very, very good...but when you listen to the 'breath' of the cello from the Starker or even Rostrpovich recordings...even du Pre and Fournier are quite good...the audiophile in me just asks why strain thru the static to hear Casals?

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Thanks for those Lloyd! I know just the dealer that specializes in Classical....so hopefully I'll get lucky!

 

[LL21]

This is wonderful...opinions from someone with real knowledge and appreciation of Cello/Barogue. I'm just stabbing in the dark here and have no clue, so your input is most appreciated. Are there any albums you could direct me to?

Smokes!...hardly real knowledge! Just one man's passionate appreciate for Bach and the cello...when i get home i'll take a look at the collection and send across some thoughts on albums i have and enjoy...

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

Smokes!...hardly real knowledge! Just one man's passionate appreciate for Bach and the cello...when i get home i'll take a look at the collection and send across some thoughts on albums i have and enjoy...

You rock..in a barogue sort of way! Thanks Lloyd!

 

[LL21]

Thanks for those Lloyd! I know just the dealer that specializes in Classical....so hopefully I'll get lucky!

You can almost certainly find Rostropovich, Fournier and du Pre on Amazon. If you like more emotional Bach, but perhaps less technically precise (only in comparison to Starker, Rostropovich, Yo Yo Ma)...you may find you like Fournier...like drinking sherry as opposed to red wine.

 

[FrantzM]

Not a big fan of Fournier... FWIW ... He gets the headlines but I am not that convinced ... Good.. Interesting but I often get the feeling I am listening to an altogether re-interpretation or a transcription of Bach ... The recordings are good but ... naw!!... Ma is very good with Bach .. somewhat academic as noted earlier .. Starker or Rostropovitch ? I would go with either for sheer correctness of interpretation if you will .. Dupre I like very much on Bach enjoy her as always immensely. Intellectually on Bach? Rostropovitch I respect more .. I am a Bach fan by the way.. HUGE Bach lover here

 

[LL21]

Hi John,

If you are interestd in Baroque or similar: Rossini String Sonatas (Neville Marriner), CPE Bach Sei Concerti Adreas Staier, Freiburger Baroque Orchestra (Harmonia), Manfredini Concerto Grossi Naxos, Bach Sonata for Viola da gamba and harpsichord Jordi Savall and Tom Koopman...depending on your mood, incredible recording, contemplative...or slightly boring (caveat emptor)...Suzuki Bach nearly anything in the Cantatas...Ablinoni 12 Concertos Sir Christopher Hogwood, Telemann Quatuors Parisiens Baroque Orchestra, Vivaldi La Stavaganza Rachel Podger (incredible recording!!!)

if i think of some more, i'll let you know...

 

[LL21]

Not a big fan of Fournier... FWIW ... He gets the headlines but I am not that convinced ... Good..

I think if you're not super-critical of Bach, and wish to hear something emotional, Founier is quite lyrical...but i am with you...he does not deliver the technical precision of any of the above (including Casals who is very good on technicals)...and one of my favorite elements of Bach is the mathematical precision...the counterpoints, the chromatic scales...that also manage to create beautiful, patterned, contemplative music...and yet when played well...also has an incredbly soulful element that i think is what has made Bach music continue to resonate over 400 years.

 

[LL21]

John,

There are a few recordings of STarker Cello. the famous Mercury Label SACD is favored by many...i own this one but have not heard others. Here is apparently a very good one...his final recording. a lot less expensive. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Suites-1007-1012-Classical-Masters/dp/B003VKW14Y/ref=pd_sim_m_h__89

 

[Johnny Vinyl]

I just ordered these 2 from Amazon UK: