Bach - Cello Suites / Rostropovich
This is one of the most important recordings of the 20th century,  both for its content (considered by many the greatest cello music  of all time) and for the intense devotion, careful preparation, and towering technical skill that went into the project. It was  a brilliant idea to make a video as well as an audio recording.  Cellists will welcome the chance to study Rostropovich's bowing  and fingering techniques, close up and at leisure. And music-lovers will welcome the visuals of the recording location, a  French church whose architecture, statues, and flickering  candles complement the music.Mstislav Rostropovich knew, loved and practiced the Bach suites  from his teen years, when the legendary Pablo Casals gave him a  private performance of one of them. But he did not feel ready to  record the complete set until he was 63 years old.  Then he found  an ideal location for the recording; he carefully chose his recording  technicians, and he supervised the sessions besides playing the cello  as only he can. Each note is carefully considered and given its unique  shape. The music's structures are made clear, its emotional overtones  powerfully conveyed.  The conventional structure of a baroque suite--an elaborate overture followed by a series of dances--comes  vigorously to life. And Rostropovich gives a spoken introduction to  each suite (in Russian, with English subtitles) playing illustrative  passages on the piano or organ.The result may appeal mostly to specialized tastes (unaccompanied  cello is not everyone's cup of tea), but this video is a landmark.--Joe McLellan