Suite

I have an old recording of the Bach Cello Suites played by Pablo Casals on vinyl. I've had it for many years, but don't listen to it all that often; sometimes it seems difficult, sometimes stark and cold. Always it was beautiful, but often too formidable to engage with.

Listening to it last night, I felt differently. Suddenly the voice of the cello seemed incredibly warm, full of breath and passion and vibrancy. There was challenge, but the challenge was in the universe itself; the music was engaging with the nature of the world, with all its struggle and fear and suffering. The cellist, too, throws himself continually against the notes as if his life depended on it. As if the lives of those he loves depend on it.

I tried to explain what I was hearing to Su by saying it sounded like folk music. Nothing from the academy, all from the street and the mountain and the hearth.

This morning I found a link that seems to work for download of these amazing recordings. I'm mid-download myself, so I'll just refer you to another blog.

http://aliomodo.blogspot.com/2009/10/bach-cello-suites-nos-1-6.html