Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1, 4, 5

Mstislav Rostropovich

AllMusic Rating
7
User Ratings (0)
Your Rating

Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1, 4, 5 Review

by Blair Sanderson

Owners of Rostropovich's 1995 set of Bach's cello suites should note that this EMI Classics issue matches the box's first disc and offers nothing different. Rostropovich's interpretations may be considered reverent but idiosyncratic, based as they are on his subjective associations of emotions and spiritual qualities with the musical characters of the suites. This may appeal to listeners who like rapt, mystical readings, though skeptics may find that expression can be elusive in Bach and harder to identify than Rostropovich supposes. Even so, Rostropovich's innate musicianship and sincerity make these performances fairly enjoyable, and one need not take his intentions too seriously. One drawback of the recordings, however, is the resonance of the Basilique Sainte-Madeleine, Vézelay, a live acoustic that covers a few sins of intonation and scratchy bowing, but unforgivably blurs Bach's rhythms and contrapuntal voicings. Its aural halo is a distraction on the CD.

Track Listing

Sample		Title/Composer	Performer	Time	Stream
Suite for solo cello No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
	1	Prelude Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:04	Amazon
	2	Allemande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:20	Amazon
	3	Courante Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:34	Amazon
	4	Sarabande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:21	Amazon
	5	Menuet I Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	01:17	Amazon
	6	Menuet II Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:03	Amazon
	7	Gigue Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	01:41	Amazon
Suite for solo cello No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010
	8	Prelude Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	04:25	Amazon
	9	Allemande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:32	Amazon
	10	Courante Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:39	Amazon
	11	Sarabande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	05:09	Amazon
	12	Bourree I Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:24	Amazon
	13	Bourree II Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:45	Amazon
	14	Gigue Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:39	Amazon
Suite for solo cello No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
	15	Prelude Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	07:23	Amazon
	16	Allemande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	05:11	Amazon
	17	Courante Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:26	Amazon
	18	Sarabande Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	03:51	Amazon
	19	Gavotte I Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:46	Amazon
	20	Gavotte II Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:55	Amazon
	21	Gigue Johann Sebastian Bach	Mstislav Rostropovich	02:25	Amazon