Bach: Six Suites Unaccompanied For Cello

Pablo Casals recording from the 1930's is the benchmark for this piece.Try to find the lp,in its various stages of release or an early cd issue.The current EMI cd has some undesirable sonic manipulations.The Shafran recording,which i have on the multiple cd set has a nice woodsy sound.I would love to hear that recording on vinyl.Some of those Russian Melodiyan lp's have an extraordinary sound and presence.I must say this is rather like asking who were the greatest climbers to scale Mt. Everest? The fact is,that it has been done,does not diminish the challenge to make the climb.
I have ended up with 4 or 5 versions of this great work and they are all magic in their own way.

All three in the list are indispensible classics for the Cello Suites in stereo. You can't do without any of them. I'd buy all.

I have the Starker LP and the Rostropovich EMI CD, I prefer Rostropovich's more "emotional" presentation. That being said I listen to both and pick between them depending on my mood.

...i agree with bryoncunningham..the zeller recording on MA is superb...

I prefer Rostropovich's more "emotional" presentation.

Samhar - I initially wrote the same thing in my post - i.e. that the Starker performance feels more intellectual, while Rostropovich feels more emotional - but then I rephrased it because I didn't want to anger any Starker fans. ;-) But I agree with you about this impression.

I also agree with the folks who suggest getting multiple versions of the Suites. I have three versions and I listen to them all, depending on my mood.

Bryon