J.S. Bach - The Cello Suites - Nina Kotova (2014) {Warner Classics Official Digital Download}

The very short list of credits on this Warner Classics release includes Russian American cellist Nina Kotova and producer Adam Abeshouse, who delivers a very closely miked sound in the frequently used Performing Arts Recital Hall of Purchase College on Long Island, New York. But perhaps the uncredited star on this set of Bach's Six Suites for solo cello is Kotova's 1679 Stradivarius instrument, which Kotova exploits to the maximum. Her reading is one of those in the line coming down from Pablo Casals, with a high degree of expressiveness generated through variations in tempo and articulation. Hear any of the concluding gigues, which come off like late Romantic witches' dances, for an example, or the increasingly unexpected relationships among the Gavotte sections in the Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 (CD 2, track 17).

But what gives Kotova's reading its real edge is the sound of the cello itself and her ability to integrate it into what she's doing. The Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011, almost seems to unfold inevitably from its opening low note, which carries deep resonances, echoes, and overtones. Since coming on the scene in the 1990s, Kotova has made reasonably well-received recordings of standard repertory and has played a good deal of contemporary music. With this recording she breaks through to another level with an original and beautifully realized interpretation of some of the most-played music in the cello repertory. It might not be the cup of tea of those who search for patterns in the cello suites and prefer an objective reading, but it will be compelling for even casual Bach listeners.

prestoclassical.co.uk INFO

Musicians
Nina Kotova - cello

Track Listing

01 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007 - I. Prelude
02 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - II. Allemande
03 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - III. Courante
04 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - IV. Sarabande
05 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - V. Menuet I & II
06 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 - VI. Gigue
07 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - I. Prelude
08 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - II. Allemande
09 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - III. Courante
10 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - IV. Sarabande
11 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - V. Menuet I & II
12 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 - VI. Gigue
13 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - I. Prelude
14 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - II. Allemande
15 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - III. Courante
16 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - IV. Sarabande
17 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - V. Bourree I & II
18 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 - VI. Gigue
19 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - I. Prelude
20 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - II. Allemande
21 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - III. Courante
22 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - IV. Sarabande
23 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - V. Bourree I & II
24 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010 - VI. Gigue
25 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - I. Prelude
26 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - II. Allemande
27 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - III. Courante
28 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - IV. Sarabande
29 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - V. Gavotte I & II
30 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 - VI. Gigue
31 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - I. Prelude
32 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - II. Allemande
33 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - III. Courante
34 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - IV. Sarabande
35 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - V. Gavotte I & II
36 - Bach, J S - Cello Suites Nos. 1-6, BWV1007-1012 - Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 - VI. Gigue