The cello suites you are referring to were not simply 'inspired by Bach' as the album title misleadingly suggests, but were completely written by Bach, front to back. The title refers to a rather poorly cobbled together series of 6 pseudo-artistic documentaries produced for TV Ontario in the early 90's around J. S.'s Suites for cello solo. In spite of the dubious genesis of the recording, Ma's performance is marvellous and well balanced, tending towards the lyrical. For some contrast, try the staggringly dramatic rendition of the prelude and Allemande from Bach's 5th cello suite performed by Mistislav Rostropovich on EMI S 55365 2. If you were interested in hearing the same performed on double bass, give a listen to Edgar Meyer on Sony Classical SK 89183.
I recently discovered a very interesting Yo-Yo Ma recording of classic Argentinian Tangos composed by Astor Piazzola. I'll check the data tonight and will post here ASAP.
If you are not yet familiar with Dvorak's Cello Concerto, you should get this work a try. Ma has a couple of excellent recordings, but so have other cellists. My favorite, for the degree of mature artistry of the performance is perhaps Gregor Piatigorsky's interpretation on an dual layer SACD RCA Living Stereo remaster of a 1957 live event conducted by Charles Munch.
The most emotionally charge concerto for cello and orchestra I know is Elgar's cello concerto. I own both Ma's rendition and Jaqueline Dupree's. Ma is more controlled and Lyrical, Dupree more visceral and truly heart-rending.
Antonio Vivaldi wrote several dozens cello concertos. 28 of them have been recorded by Raphael Walfisch on naxos in 4 volumes. They are true jewels, at less than $7 per volume. See naxos 8.550907, 8.550908, 8.550909, 8.550910.
