I recently read a new book out called The Cello Suites by Eric Siblin. This book is about the composer JS Bach the creator of the Cello Suites, cellist Pablo Casals who rediscovered and championed the cello suites and the author Siblin’s journey in writing and researching this book. The book is divided into 6 chapters. Each chapter is titled after one of the 6 cello suites. The book works chronologically but places each of the 3 subjects alongside each other.

JS Bach is my favourite composer. When I was studying music in my early 20’s I didn’t quite get Bach’s music and was more a fan of twentieth century/avante garde music and the bigger, thicker, lush works of the Romantic period. It is only with time and the desire for less instead of more in music that I have come to love Bach. He is my desert island choice of composers.

Siblin writes warmly and personably about the great composer. Bach is no longer rendered the 2 dimensional, chubby, conservative figure we see on the cover of books and CDs. Here he becomes a living, breathing, hard working, feisty, passionate and very likeable human being in Siblin’s hands.

Then there is the great Catalan cellist Pablo Casals. What a life he had avoiding Franco’s henchmen. Casals managed to pluck from obscurity these great works after coming across them at a second hand book shop in Barcelona. From the age of 15 he performed the suites in public. He single handedly took this great music to the people and by doing so brought it back to life and prominence after it lay in obscurity for over 100 years.

Siblin’s tells his own 21st century story as he is researching this book. His growing love affair with Bach, the suites, and Casals. What an amazing journey, one that I’m glad we get to share via the reading of this final product.

The author recommends the following recordings of the Bach Cello Suites which can be purchased at Readings.

• Pablo Casals, Cello Suites, EMI, 5626112
• Pieter Wispelwey, 6 Suites for Violincello Solo, Channel Classics, CCS12298
• Steven Isserlis, The Cello Suites, Hyperion, CDA67541/2
• Pierre Fournier, 6 Suites for Solo Cello, Deutsche Gramophon, 4776724
• Matt Haimovitz, 6 Suites for Cello Solo, Oxingale Records, 0800658200025

Below are a few versions I can highly recommend as well.

• Yo Yo Ma’s second recording of the suites on Sony Classics – Bach: The Cello Suites Inspired by Bach, Sony S2K63203
• Robert Cohen’s version originally issued on the now defunct Collins Classics label is thankfully now available on the Regis label – Bach J S: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012, RRC2001.
• Cohen’s recording is also available as part of a fantastic 14 CD Brilliant Classics Box set of Bach Chamber music, BRILL92215.
• Finally, it’s hard to go past the Great Russian Cellist Mstislav Rostropovich’s version on EMI. –Bach, J S: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-10, EMI 5181582.