Janos Starker Bach Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Complete (3 LP)

TAS Super LP List! Special Merit: Classical
TAS Recommended! Rated a 'Best Audiophile Label Recording' in the November 2009 issue of The Absolute Sound!
Rare originals of this recording have been going on Ebay for upwards of $1,500. The sound quality and performance are absolutely to-die-for.
Today, it is difficult to understand that despite the tremendous Bach renaissance that took place in the 19th century, many compositions by the Cantor of St. Thomas’ Church in Leipzig had been underrated. The Cello Suites, for example, have been regarded for almost 300 years as purely a set of tricky etudes that every virtuoso in the making simply must tackle. Janos Starker’s recording of the Suites from 1965 makes a lasting impression on the listener, and even record producers who are well used to recorded excellence have been highly impressed. Starker’s full-bodied sound and technical brilliance are complemented by his finely chiseled interpretation that lends immense expression to Bach’s thrilling harmony and verve to the strict rhythmic construction of the movements.
It is hardly comprehensible today that despite the epochal Bach Renaissance in the 19th century, one could underestimate works by the Thomaskantor, since for almost 300 years the cello suites were regarded only as a pure thicket of etudes that every budding virtuoso had to sift through. True miracles in the reception were only effected by the recording device and playback technology. Thus, the legendary recording of Pablo Casals in the 30s brought to light something unheard of, against which all subsequent soloists must be measured, but can also rub.
Janos Starker's recording from 1965, which still prevails with listeners despite convincing comparative interpretations of the digital era, left a lasting impression even on the quality-spoiled producers. Charlotte Gilbert of the Mercury label stuck with the sessions as one of the five big events in 20 years of recording practice.
No question, Starker gives free rein to the great tones of his instrument without forcing them. The tonally rounded body and technical grandeur is joined by the finely branched soul of the interpretation, which breathes the highest expressiveness into Bach's exciting harmony and gives momentum to the strict rhythmic framework of the movements. Anyone who hears how Starker unleashes a lively question-and-answer game from organ double-handle passages, combined with finely differentiated tempo, will understand the much-quoted paradox - Bach's cello suites are polyphony on an instrument.
Johann Sebastian Bach: Suites 1-6 for violoncello solo - Janos Starker (vc)
This Speakers Corner production was manufactured using analog masterband and mastering 100% purely analog. All licenses and GEMA contributions have been paid.

Features:

• 180 Gram Virgin Vinyl
• High Quality Pressing
• Pure Analogue Audiophile Mastering

Selections:

Johann Sebastian Bach: Suites For Unaccompanied Cello Complete
Side A
Suite No. 1 In G
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Menuets
6. Gigue
Side B
Suite No. 2 In D Minor
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Menuets
6. Gigue
Side C
Suite No. 3 In C
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Bourrées
6. Gigue
Side D
Suite No. 4 In E-Flat
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Bourrées
6. Gigue
Side E
Suite No. 5 In C Minor
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Gavottes
6. Gigue
Side F
Suite No. 6 In D
1. Praeludium
2. Allemande
3. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Gavottes
6. Gigue