David Watkin - Bach: The Cello Suites (2015) [Hi-Res]

Renowned cellist and interpreter of Baroque music David Watkin records the Cello Suites by J.S. Bach, rightly considered as the pinnacle of writing for solo cello. Juror of the Leipzig Bach Competition; former principal cellist of the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique & the English Baroque Soloists, as well as the cellist of the critically acclaimed Eroica Quartet, Watkin gives a captivating and truly individual account of the six suites, the result of decades of performing and studying these compelling and fascinating works.

The six Suites are recorded on gut strings and on two original historic instruments of note, including the unique five-string cello by Brothers Amati, dating from c. 1600, and a four-string by a likely pupil of Amati, Francesco Rugeri, dating from c. 1670.

„From first hearing the Toccata and Fugue in d minor as a child, to taking part in the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage in 2000 and sitting on the Jury at the Leipzig Bach Competition in 2012, Bach has always had a special place in my life. But 2013 is turning out to be a ‘Bach year’ for me. A few weeks ago I took part in Sir John Eliot Gardiner’s TV programme (which will be broadcast at Easter by the BBC). I recorded the G major Prelude and gave some interviews, but more importantly it was a great chance to catch up with some of the other participants from the incredible Bach Cantata Pilgrimage 2000. Also in Cantata 68, there was a chance to try out the Royal Academy of Music’s beautiful 5 string Amati cello which belonged to one of my teachers, Amarylis Fleming. It’s an astonishing instrument, and I’m very excited to be using it for the 6th Suite later this year.

Earlier this year I conducted the 3rd and 4th Orchestral Suites at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, with their Baroque Orchestra – every one of them ready to risk everything for the music! Then it was Webern’s arrangement of the Ricercar in 6 parts from the Musical Offering with SCO and Robin Ticciati. In the Summer there is a late night Prom with EBS/Gardiner, and in the run up to Christmas I’m performing the 6th Suite at Queen’s Hall and then conducting Cantata 110 Unser Mund sei Voll Lachens in a concert with Manchester Consort.

But my main focus in 2013 will be a recording for Resonus Classics of all 6 Suites, which will happen in two chunks, Spring and Winter. In preparation, I will be putting on as many performances of the Suites as possible, as well as introducing and exploring them at various events.

Having performed the Suites at very special places in Bach's life - sitting by the font in which he was baptised in Eisenach and at Frederick the Great's Palace in Potsdam - it was a pleasure to play the First Suite recently at Leighton House in London. Alfredo Piatti was a regular performer at 'Musics' there, including perhaps some of the first performances of the Suites after Bach's lifetime.