Having recently taken stock of where we are at with this web site and well past the 100th review mark, we thought now was a time to update our current favourites.
These selections are intended to be helpful signposts through the myriad available versions of the Suites. They may assist those who know they have a preference for a particular style of music. Self evidently, they are subjective assessments from our listening sessions and as such should in no way be considered definitive. Indeed, the lists will most likely change over time (It has!!) as we acquaint ourselves with further versions. The choices in each category are not in any order of preference. We have not restricted versions to one category only as that would put artificial restrictions on multi faceted performances. The headings follow on from the following statement “If your preferred style of music is…..”. Enjoy your explorations, and let us know if you think the headers are helpful, or perhaps suggest alternatives for consideration!
Historically Informed.
David Watkin A. Bylsma ’77 R. Tunnicliffe Jaap ter Linden. P. Wispelwey ’98
Traditional.
O. Gaillard ’01 Catalin Ilea NEW A. Rudin Truls Mork Jan Vogler
Romantic.
M. Maisky’85 Paul Tortelier’83 Yo Yo Ma’97 Pierre Fournier Alisa Weilerstein
Exploring.
Alban Gerhardt A. Kniazev Anne Gastinel Mari Fujiwara. Winona Zelenka
Intellectual
Tim Hugh Truls Mork Janos Starker’92 Alban Gerhardt Steven Isserlis
Contemplative.
Yo Yo Ma’18 Janos Starker’92 Pablo de Naverán NEW Steven Isserlis Alisa Weilerstein
Safe bets.
J-G Queyras D. Geringas P. Tortelier’61 Karel Steylaerts-NEW! A. Meneses. NEW
Exciting.
Isang Enders Winona Zelenka Mischa Maisky’85 David Watkin Andre Navarra
In addition to the above, for those where sound considerations are paramount, the
following supplementary lists may help:
Great sounding cellos.
Anna Bylsma’92 Jan Vogler A. Weilerstein Alban Gerhardt Truls Mork
Recording quality.
Anne Gastinel Janos Starkervinyl 45rpm Winona Zelenka Antonio Janigro. Truls Mork
To end with.
Finally Mark has attempted his own shortcut of shortcuts with an overall Top 5 from his
listening sessions.
M. Maisky’85 A. Weilerstein J. Starker’92 David Watkin Yo Yo Ma’17