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Label:
  DHM
Serial:
  82876697672, BVCD-34028 (2 discs)
Title:
  Bach: Cello Suites - Hidemi Suzuki
Description:
  Bach: Cello Suites BWV 1007-1012

Hidemi Suzuki (cello)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Chamber
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
  DSD
Recording info:
 

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Related titles: 1


 
Reviews: 4 show all

Review by cdwitmer January 2, 2006 (13 of 14 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:    
I agree fully with the first reviewer that this SACD is outstanding. However, "romantic" is one of the last words I would choose to describe Suzuki's playing on this CD. But in fairness I doubt the description was applied in the sense that a musicologist might use the term. Suzuki's interpretation is largely informed by the research of musicologist Kirsten Beisswenger, editor of the 2000 Breitkopf edition of the score. Suzuki's playing is expository, and it conveys to us a great range of emotions without descending into emotionalism. His playing is expository in that he attempts to simultaneously give us both the big picture and also every nuance and implied harmony (implied in that a significant part of the harmony exists in the recalling of earlier notes while hearing the notes that are currently being played). Suzuki's deep understanding of the music and his mastery of his instrument enable him to present a performance of sublime and profound beauty. Don't confuse this with Suzuki's recording done 10 years earlier, which is still (as of this writing) on the market as a standard CD. I also liked that one but some reviewers were less than thrilled. I suspect only those with a marked aversion to the very idea of historically informed performance would find anything to complain about concerning this new recording.

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Review by Jonalogic August 14, 2010 (10 of 11 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
A little gem.

I already have several versions of the cello suites on RBCD and vinyl (Rostropovich and Fournier stick out in the mind..) but there are, of course, many different and equally valid ways into Bach's universe.

I would characterise Suzuki-san's approach to these summits of instrumental music as consistently refined, restrained and nuanced. There are none of the instrumental fireworks or heart-on-sleeve playing that - for example - Rostropovich excels in. Nor does there need to be. These performances are very much period-attuned, and a vehicle for projecting JSB rather than the soloist's personality.

And then we have the sound. This is a quiet masterclass in how to record a single instrument. Merely:

1) Locate a beautiful 16th century Amati (?) violoncello and play with utmost sensitivity...
2) In an appropriately sized and lovely sounding acoustic space, with good decay times and damping
3) Locate 2 (?) linear microphones at just the right distance and height from the soloist to achieve a perfect balance between direct and indirect sound- neither to close or too distant
4) Record on a high quality, transparent medium- preferably DSD (as in this case) or analogue
5) Playback on equally transparent electronics and transducers

... easy, isn't it? The result is that all the artifice disappears (Zen-like) whilst Suzuki-san gets an invite to play in your living room.

Incidentally, this is GREAT music to meditate to.

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Review by wolfE December 3, 2005 (4 of 5 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
I have to admit that I did hesitate a bit before ordering this double-SACD-set, because I own the Starker/Mercury version which is very good. And I did not know Hidemi Suzuki before, but now I do! After listening to the suites several times I can say, that this version is another favorite of mine. Suzuki's approach is more romantic than Starkers, and I like it very much. Another reason why I am enthusiastic about this SACD is the sound quality. This is one of the best DSD-recordings I have ever heard, warm, natural, full-bodied. Highly recommended! - Why does SonyBMG not offer more of this stuff, for instance some Mozart for ther coming Mozart year instead of Zorro-Soundtrack?

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Works: 6  

Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
Johann Sebastian Bach - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012