Mischa Maisky 1999.
Mischa Maisky 6 Bach Cello Suites (DG 463 314/2) Rec.1999
Introduction.
This is Maisky’s second album recording of the Suites made some 14 years after his first. Reputedly he revisited them following a visit to a hifi store. There he thought a demonstration recording of his earlier version being used of his earlier version was a “parody” of his own playing!
This should have sent out alarm bells for me in what was to follow. I have for many years considered his first reading to be a desert island disc set.
However, as a long term fan of Maisky’s recordings I ended up with the later recording in a box set I purchased. (With different recording reference number, but I have included that for the original Bach second set above).
A curate’s egg.
In the event my fears were generally well founded. I consider this later interpretation a real curates egg and ultimately not one for my recommended shortlist.
Maisky’s second vision for the Suites makes no concessions to the historically informed camp. Indeed he would be proud to have it referred to as romantically infused. Especially as he has stated he says Bach as “the greatest romantic”!
I like romantic music, but I do not see Bach as a great romantic. Therefore, I would personally urge caution in taking this approach. Strangely perhaps, romantic does not seem to mean lingering to Maisky. Witness the second set is generally much brisker than his first, with odd very notable exceptions (about more anon). It’s more to do with his phrasing of the pieces which has a significant “look at me” element to them.
His technical command is never in doubt though. His overall sound remains as impressive as you could ever expect from such a world renowned performer.
The detail.
Turning to some notable excerpts we start with a 1st Suite Prelude which is truly horrific. He takes it at such a fast pace that it would appear he has a bus to catch and needs to wrap it up pronto. Yet despite the brio he also includes hesitations in phrasing that make no sense at all to me.
Frankly I can imagine many listeners not bothering to continue after this bizarre start. Persevering, the rest of the Suite is not so bad with the push pull phrasing of the Allemande a bit more effective. Then, a Courante with nice energy to it giving weight to the notes at the end of lines.
In the 2nd Suite there is a nice Sarabande which starts rich and weighty. However, the second statement of the theme is produced like a very gentle echo before building in volume again towards the close. If nothing else this is deeply felt playing.
In the ensuing Gigue, I kept having to remind myself there was only one cello playing. The notes even in denser passages were all ringing out loud and clear.
The sixth Suite.
The first disc closes with the 6th Suite. In the Prelude there is never any doubt we are listening to a bass instrument. A deep rich sonorous sound again evidences a call and response approach.
I do find though that his pacing is uncomfortable listening at times with fluctuations impeding the flow. Indeed it almost grinds to a halt in places.
In comparison to the Prelude, the following Allemande emphasises the treble elements of the cello. I thought this provided a nice contrast between the two. It also has some beautiful polyphonic sounds emanating throughout. But boy is this movement slow, clocking in at a whopping 11 minutes 21 seconds.( Nearly 3 minutes longer than his first version, itself no speed demon). Impressive playing to pull that off at all, but for sure a marmite movement.
Turning to Bach’s wonderful 6th Suite Sarabande, I have never heard the multiple lines come through as clearly. It is a heavier and quicker interpretation than I would opt for, but the sense of two cellos playing together is magical. Also in this Suite of note is the second Gavotte. This feels too slow by half, more like a particularly comotose minuet.
The Suite’s closing Gigue is full sounding with heavy emphases on 2nd beats, and provides a triumphant end to the cycle with the last note allowed to fade away nicely. Shame it is positioned in the set before Suites 3-5!
The second CD
In the interests of keeping the reviews reasonably punchy, I won’t expand on the 2nd disc’s Suites at all. Except, to say that they again provide the same mix of generally brisk pacing but with notable exceptions. There are unusual phrasings with lashings of rubato, and wide dynamic variations.
The Recording.
The technical recording quality itself seems broadly comparable to the earlier set, which means for me it is generally favourable.
Conclusion.
In summary, generalisations about this second visit by Maisky are hard. He seems to be trying throughout to make people sit up and listen. To a great degree he achieves that, but that experience is not always favourable. The playing is undeniably impressive on its own terms. Unfortunately, far too often it feels like one is listening to more Maisky and less Bach.
If readers choose to take the plunge and purchase this one out of curiosity, don’t say you haven’t been warned!
Mark.