David Geringas. Bach Cello suites. Geringas plays Bach plus. ES-DUR CD ES 2036.
Recorded 2000 and 2011. Kolosseum Lübeck, Germany.
Released 2011?
Cellos played: Suites 1&5 and contemporary works, Giovanni Guadagnini 1761
Suite 6 five string cello by Hubert Schnorr 1985.
Suites 2,3,&4 Giuseppe Guarneri del Gesu “Messeas.”
The Cellist.
Geringas is Lithuanian born in 1946. He studied under Rostropovich at the Moscow Conservatory between ’63 and ’73 and won the gold medal in the 1970 International Tchaikovsky competition. He has had a very high-level career both as soloist and conductor since, mainly in Europe but with International engagements along the way. His music ranges from Baroque to Avant Garde with over 100 recordings under his belt.
Introduction.
Geringas appears to have recorded the complete Suites on three occasions. The first in two volumes in 1989, the second appears to be a concert recording in 1994 or 95.
This recording under review is out of print currently but available for streaming. It intrigues as seems to date from 2000 and 2011. This seems a very large gap and suggests a certain amount of creativity was involved in devising the eventual release.
That creativity includes some fascinating short pieces termed bagatelles which bookend each Suite. There are concise notes about each in the CD booklet. To quote the text, they “prepare the listener and create moments of musical transition.” The performances of these are incisive dramatic and impactful so totally justify their inclusion in my view.
I suspect that Geringas recorded Suites 2,3, & 4 in 2000 and the remainder in 2011 with the bagatelles, although this is not specified.
The recording.
This is an excellent quality recording, with a very clean open sound. My ears and sound system cannot detect significant variation between the two sets of recording. It will obviously help that the recording studio and producer seem to be consistent across the Suites. I am particularly impressed by the quality of sound for the sixth Suite with a modern five stringed cello. The quality of the playing, and the cello itself seem to hit the sweet spot in terms of the technical mastery and fullness of tone.
I would describe the style of playing as being a hybrid with what sounds to be a modern set up despite use of five string cello. I would be most surprised if gut strings or baroque bows were used, but the faster moments -and there are many, are extremely well articulated.
The music.
I am very impressed with this recording. The quality is matched by the performance, which is top notch. Most impressive is the incisiveness and attack of the playing. There are plenty of dynamics, the rhythm is tight, and momentum is kept up throughout. In fact, one could say this is Bach with machismo!
Musically, for me there was plenty of shaping and sensitivity with Allemandes being reflective and Sarabandes poised and stately. The fifth Sarabande was a little rushed for my taste but had the lop-sided feel of that dance. Contrary to another review of this recording I did not sense that there was flippancy or lack of intimacy in this presentation.
Speed is possibly the main criticism that some but not I would level at this recording. Without the bagatelles the total running time including repeats is just over the two-hour mark. The later Allemandes move at quite a pace which is a relief in some ways, but they still retain the sensitivity and feeling I think we all seek in these movements.
The speed elsewhere never descends into lack of definition or loss of shape. Geringas always feels like he is control and clearly has phenomenal technical ability. This is noticed in the sixth Suite especially. His tuning is impeccable and somehow lifts Allemandes and Sarabandes into an elevated space in the sound stage.
Conclusion.
Concerns about pace aside I feel this is a top notch recording with the additional bagatelles a very welcome and appropriate extra. If you can get hold of a CD I suggest you buy it, otherwise check it out on streaming services. I shall also be listening to his other recordings particularly of works by more contemporary composers.
Charles.