Even if you've heard the
Casals, the
Fournier, the
Rostropovich, and even the
Bylsma, if you love
Bach's Cello Suites, you owe it to yourself to hear this recording by
Bruno Cocset. It's not that
Cocset tops any of those players technically, although he's clearly at their level. It's not that
Cocset beats any of those players interpretively, although he's clearly in their league. It's that
Cocset has things to say about
Bach's Cello Suites that no one has ever said before. In
Cocset's performances, the depths of the C minor and D minor suites seem deeper, the heights of the C major and D major suites seem higher, and the joy of the E flat major and G major suites seem more joyful. Part of it is
Cocset's playing -- meditative and reckless, thoughtful and inspired -- part of it is
Cocset's interpretations -- emotional and intellectual, soulful and visceral. Part of it is his choice of tunings -- twice altered by scordatura -- and of cellos -- a gorgeous four-string for five suites and a glorious five-string for one suite. Part of it is the sound -- rich and warm and deep and honest and true. Taken all together, this is one of the most interesting, one of the most exciting, one of the most musical, and one of the most moving sets of
Bach's Cello Suites ever recorded.