Bach: Suites for Cello, 1, 2 & 3
Talk about legendary! Pablo Casals's "discovery" of this music was not only one of the factors that catapulted him to fame as the world's finest cellist, it had a dramatic effect on the rediscovery of Bach as a composer. Until Casals proved otherwise, few believed that these unaccompanied solos could actually be performed as written; many composers and editors tried their hand at adding piano or harpsichord accompaniments, with ludicrous results to modern ears. By proving that Bach meant what he wrote, and by playing the music with such conviction and assurance, Casals really might be said to have ignited the process that led to the "authentic instrument" movement of today, the fundamental principle of which is respect for the composer's original text. Of course, it's another sign of his greatness that these performances have held their own against all comers since the 1930s. If you like Bach, the cello, or both, you must hear them.--David Hurwitz