Enrico Bronzi. Bach Cello Suites CD Amadeus.It AMA 368. Available only with Feb 2022 Amadeus magazine.
Recorded in Tropea (VV), Palazzo Santa Chiara, April 12-14/2018 (Cd1), November 22-24/2018 (Cd2)
Instrument by Vincenzo Panormo 1775.
No other information regards bow or strings is available.
Introduction.
This recording is not on general release as far as I can tell, either as download or CD. Copies of the magazine are available from the publisher.
https://amadeusmagazine.it/categoria-prodotto/arretrati/
You will need to reside in Italy to purchase a back issue.
A viewer of the web site who is clearly as enthusiastic if not more so than us informed me of this recording. He kindly shared with me CD quality files of the recording to audition.
You may already assume that the review will be positive and indeed it is! I would not have felt it worthwhile otherwise. More so, as at present, you will have great difficulty obtaining a copy. Hopefully over time this will change.
The Cellist.
You can read a brief biography here:
https://www.imolamusicacademies.org/en/professors/enrico-bronzi/
I am intrigued that there is on YT a video of the cellist promoting an earlier recording from 2009:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqSAmFrKGrk
I suspect Bronzi may be a little embarrassed by this as the intro starts with the statement:” two extraordinary musicians”! There is then video of the artist in conversation and prominent evidence of his cigar habit! The original recording label web site appears defunct, and I have not come across any evidence of CDs for sale.
The recording.
The sound quality is top notch and has great presence and intimacy with just a trace of breathing and finger board noise. The acoustic feels just right with some resonance but no significant echo, so the rapid passages are heard cleanly. The cello tone is impressive in all registers. I suspect steel wound strings may be in use as well an end pin. There is recent video of the artist playing Haydn’s second concerto using a baroque bow.
The music.
Right from the off, this performance grips. The first prelude is played with predominantly separate bows but in a legato style. The phrasing impresses with interest held throughout. There is plenty of dynamics and moderate variation of tempo.
The style is sustained throughout, and I would suggest it falls into the hybrid group of modern set up but with more than a nod to true baroque interpretation. The phrasing undulates nicely, the faster passages are well articulated. The rhythm is pulsing through out maintaining momentum.
In slower passages there are some features of romantic sentiments but very little vibrato. The fifth Sarabande is taken quite briskly but conveys well the bleakness of Christs crucifixion with which this Suite is most commonly associated.
Ornamentation is quite sparing but tastefully employed. There are some interesting modulations at the end of the second prelude, third Sarabande and sixth Gigue. The last one did cause a raised eyebrow!
Whilst predominantly the playing is powerful with plenty of brio, it is noticeable when Bronzi holds back and demonstrates remarkable refinement in quieter passages such as the Sarabandes and later Allemandes.
The icing on the cake with this performance is how Bronzi finishes each phrase and how he tapers off final notes and chords in each movement. The ear is compelled to listen right to the limits of one’s hearing!
Summary.
In conclusion, this is one of the best recordings of the Suites that I have heard. The proof of this is that I have needed to drag myself away from the sound system to go to bed! My analysis of why this recording is so good may be suspect but I am 100% confident that the majority of listeners would agree as to its quality and be drawn in emotionally to engage with the truly wonderful music of Bach.
I would ask that anyone who has any influence on the availability of the recording does something to improve its distribution!
Charles.