Marina Tarasova. Bach Cello Suites. CD divine art dda21238.
Recorded over 6 days July, August and Sept 2021 at the Victor Popov Academy of Choral Arts, Moscow.
No details of cello used or of the set up provided.
The Cellist.
Tarasova is a Russian cellist whose recorded output and performances seem to be confined mainly to her homeland.
Most of her 32 year recording career covers Russian composers rarely heard outside their country of birth.
The recording.
The recording is on the “dry” side but captures the full tone that Tarasova generates. There are minimal unwanted sounds from breathing or fingerboard. This is somewhat surprising, but welcome, given the obvious effort that the cellist invests in her playing!
The music.
The notes attached to the recording are very helpful. They are succinct, to the point and very helpful in providing insight into what the listener experiences. Firstly, a quote: “Marina Tarasova believes the suites are often interpreted in an overly academic and formal way. Her inspirational approach is full of vitality and spirit.” My judgement is that she has succeeded in taking a diametrically opposite approach!
This performance is certainly unconventional in modern terms. She uses plenty of vibrato and plays out sustained notes to the maximum. This is evident in the Sarabandes particularly. My sense, is that the performer’s prime aim is to produce as big a sound as possible. Furthermore, in the Gigues particularly to let rip with aggressive and brash (vitality and spirit) playing.
The playing of the Preludes seems to vary from a very fast first Suite to a very slow and sometimes ponderous sixth Suite. The fifth and sixth Suite Courantes are played in a rather laid back reflective style instead of the usual jaunty rhythmic dance style of most recordings.
The second insight that the CD notes provide is via the various photos. I could not help but notice that the bridge end of the fingerboard is covered in the thickest coating of resin that I have ever seen! That this should occur at all and that it is not wiped clean suggest to me that it is intended as a trophy to attest to the vigorous bowing the cellist employs. I have to say it goes hand in hand with the rather forced sound and clumsy phrasing that can be heard at times.
Conclusion.
Whilst I applaud the attempt to avoid overthinking the interpretation of the Suites, I am never the less left un moved by this recording. What little we know about Bach the man himself points to a very meticulous mathematical genius as well as superb composer. It seems to me that his music deserves very careful consideration and that on top of the shoulders of this can still come music which inspires and uplifts the performer and listener.
What I hear in this performance is a rather random Jeckle and Hyde characterisation. It did make me sit up and pay attention sometimes but at other times I wanted to move away!
If, when you were younger you enjoyed the film Spinal Tap then now you are older and into classical music you might like this performance. Otherwise preview via all the usual sources before buying. I did manage to buy a copy for £5.18 including postage but that offer seems to have gone.
Charles.