Lluis Claret. Bach Cello Suites. CD Verso 2015 also available as download.
Recorded September 2002 and May 2003 at La Abadia de Fontfroide Narbonne France.
Having written my review of the 1993 release by this artist, I became aware that the CD by Lluis Claret of the Bach Cello Suites titled Bach en Frontfroide was in fact a different and second recording by this artist of the Suites. I had originally thought it to be a re release!
Brief Review.
The timings are incredibly similar to that of the reviewed 1993 release with barely 5 seconds difference for all the movements bar the fifth Sarabande!
I have had a listen to this version on streaming services and although the acoustic is more “lively” as one would expect from a recording in a chapel, the style and quality of the playing is very similar. The fifth Sarabande does benefit considerably from its slower pace so that is welcome. Not so welcome is an impression of haste and rush in some of the Courantes. Amazing what a few seconds difference makes! There are other subtleties but I invite the curious to identify them.
This then raises the question why? The only similar situation I have come across where a recording is repeated in a similar manner to an original is for reasons of copyright. The original label of Auvidis Valois was subsumed to Naïve in around 1999. A re-recording may have been the only way to gain a continued presence on the market.
Whatever the reasons, the listener is spoilt for choice with each being highly enjoyable. They can both be accessed on Tidal.