Johann Sebastian Bach: Cellosuiten BWV 1007-1012 (180g) auf 3 LPs

Seit ihrer »Entdeckung« durch den Spanier Pablo Casals in den dreißiger Jahren des 20. Jahrhunderts zählen Bachs Cellosuiten BWV 1007–1012 zur meistgespielten Solo-Literatur für dieses Instrument. Mit Steven Isserlis wagt sich nun einer der besten Cellisten der Welt an Bachs Meisterwerk – und das mit einer gehörigen Portion Respekt, wie er unumwunden zugibt: »Bachs Suiten sind von einer solchen Perfektion und Erhabenheit, das es geradezu unmöglich ist, sich für sie bereit zu fühlen.« Mit der vorliegenden Einspielung zeigt Isserlis, dass er der Aufgabe mehr als nur gewachsen ist. Abgerundet wird die Veröffentlichung durch einen anregenden Booklettext, in dem Isserlis seine persönlichen Gedanken über die Suiten offen legt und den Stand der wissenschaftlichen Bach-Forschung diskutiert.

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Hyperion’s record of the month for May is a major milestone for a performer at the zenith of his career—described recently in The Independent as ‘the stuff of legend’. Steven Isserlis’s award-winning discography spans his diverse interests in repertoire and his musicological enthusiasm, as well as demonstrating his supreme artistry and uniquely beautiful sound, and his first recording of the complete Bach cello suites is an indelibly important addition to the set.

Steven writes that ‘the Bach suites are works of such total perfection, such sublimity, that it is well-nigh impossible to feel ready for them’. He has proved more than adequate to the task and this release is a triumphant conclusion to an artistic pilgrimage.

Steven’s eloquent booklet notes reveal his personal thoughts about the suites, as well as extensive academic research. His is an interpretation that has come from his passionate involvement in the music rather than from following the various theories that abound in Bach scholarship, and he discusses it fully in an article which is a perfect complement to this wonderful release.

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'Some of the best Bach playing I've heard since Casals' (Rob Cowan, BBC Radio 3)

'These are the cellist's Everest, and Isserlis has waited a long time to commit them to disc: his superb interpretations now put him in that great line of cellists that stretches back to Casals' (The Independent)

'This landmark recording combines bravura technique with scholartly research to produce a new interpretation … pushing each rhythmic possiblity to the limit but never sacrificing grace, charm and elegance' (The Observer)

'It has taken him years to face up to the monumental challenge that is the Bach Cello Suites, but Steven Isserlis comes up trumps in a deeply intelligent traversal with a tremendous emotional pay-off' (The First Post. com)

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