Rostropovich plays the Prelude from Bach's Cello Suite No. 5

[Xeon1791]

outstanding performence

[caf700]

i love cello

[michaelbialobroda]

listen to my bach i hope you ll enjoy it

[ThaGunther]

It depends on the height of the player to, tall cellist need to have the cello laying down rather than bending over it

[jokerXL512]

C-string at the recap at 6:10! I love it!!!!

[Techn0freak7]

@SHIFTskateCREW....are you retarded? Guitar players....

[Agarxia]

sound is out of sync. i question the authenticity of this...

[nunoalvesfilipe]

the first note is remarkable!!...

[SHIFTskateCREW]

anyone notice there's no frets holy shit how can u remember the posistions

[sasybee]

@SHIFTskateCREW like violinists do too, they develop a high sensibility to melody and movement

[xDSlimz]

@SHIFTskateCREW its called being more musically talented than guitarists. Jk, well sortof. It just takes lots of muscle memory and practice :)

[jokerXL512]

@SHIFTskateCREW

I think a vast majority of people watching this probably at least play a little cello, so yes, we noticed quite a while ago that there are no frets. It's both an advantage in what you can do with the sound and a disadvantage regarding how much bleeping practice it takes to gain pitch accuracy.

[Delmasca]

Who is the idiot that disliked this? Good Lord.

[Christherpiper]

@YrYOUaFReak no, Rostropovich IS the master, alongside with Pablo Casals though :p

[icekingofthenorth]

a tear

[newFranzFerencLiszt]

2 people play the piccolo

[mockingbird307]

Looking him play looks very easy to play cello. Is it an esy instrument?

[Hanmi103]

@mockingbird307 Easy to play. Nothing is easy to play BEAUTIFULLY. I just played this piece several times, with the normal A-string tuning, and (not for that reason) I found it always really hard to play. The truth is, real masters like Slava (Rostropovich's nickname) just make truly challenging things seem effortless.

[Hanmi103]

@Hanmi103 In addition, in my normal A-string-tuned rendition... I have to do pretty funky stretches of my left hand, leaning my hand forwards and backwards. I'm not sure if that's just routine for advanced cello playing in general, and the chords in my version are altered from some original "impossible chords"; I don't have any acquaintances or teachers around to discuss that with.

[MrsOmnomnomers]

It is ridiculous how much I love this song, so beautiful

[Christherpiper]

could anyone tell me if Rostroprovich had tuned his cello to the discord? or was it as normal?

Thanks Chris

[karrakis]

@Christherpiper

His A string is tuned to the A here, unless my eyes betray me... but he breaks some of the otherwise impossible chords through a shift (not noticeable unless you're watching his hand) so he's not playing the adjusted version.

The quality of the cello probably makes up the remaining sound-gap.

In other words, normal tuning, but you wouldn't know it by listening.

[Mig29tvc]

Rostropowitsch is the all highest class cellist ever born on our planet. 

[Worldslargestipod]

The recording is second to none, although I'm more than certain the video and audio were recorded separately.

What bothers me about the VIDEO is that Rostropovich is doing things that most cello teachers would tell students would sabotage their sound quality, 1) bowing at the fingerboard, 2) bow sliding up and down the fingerboard 3) Bow not parallel to the bridge

But hey, if it works it works.

[kubbelisgod]

@Worldslargestipod If cello teachers often tell not to play on the fingerboard, it's just because beginner students usually get a bit tense and unconsciously get their bow higher and higher up. Once they get a bit better, you teach them that getting the bow up and down is (with varying bow speed) the "right way" to control volume, and that applying more or less pressure on the strings is not.

[Easleytee]

The Great Rostropovich idolized the undisputed master of the instrument...Casals.

[fantasticmusic20]

great piece and a performance full of emotion

[beanzaronii]

i don't deny that there are a TON of talented musicians that can play this prelude super fantastic, but there is just a huge difference between everyone else and rostropovich. i crave his stuff

[nico22059]

This man is god! Just perfect!!

[SandDune711]

so dark, mysterious and sensual. By far one of my favorites. Playing this right before Suite no. 1 is such a great contrast

[coolragazzo94]

my. favorite. suite.

[emiliolombardo]

This is pure art ! thanks!

[anisometropie]

0:14 1:53 2:01 those fingering are seriously EPIC.

i love this recording, all my teacher and many cellist I know can say it's bad, I still love it.

[KingHookJ]

R.I.P. One of the greatest Cellists. You shouldn't be arguing who is better between Yo-Yo Ma and Rostropovich, they both play masterfully and have their seperate styles. I'm sure they both had great respect for eachother as fellow Cellists and musicians who bring Bach's music back to life even in this day and age, and you should respect them both too instead of fighting over who's better.

[yk992]

aww... so sasd he had to pass. he was one of the greats

[mkultra22]

It is the nature of music to evoke emotion which then fosters opinion; Love it, hate it or check-in somewhere betwixt....Fact is, you FELT something and that denotes power. A Master, indeed!

R.I.P.

[xxlightnessxx]

This is why I took up the cello. Pianists and violinists can go super fast all day long, but I'm pretty sure no instrument has anywhere near the capability for expression and depth that the cello does. Amazing performance, amazing cellist, amazing composer, R.I.P.

[SlashAndLanguages]

Breathtaking...

[jrbr85]

In my opinion (I am an amateur/sometimes professional cellist), this is the best interpretation of the 5th Prelude - but even Rostropovich made cuts in the video! If you look closely at the 2:57 mark in the video, he is playing the note as a harmonic, but if you listen to the audio recording, there is clearly a lot of vibrato (most probably meaning the note was played "solidly"). Cuts are a normal part of CD's, and I never would have noticed it without the accompanying video!

Still the best!!

[empathqqq]

@notionpollution - i thought Rostopovich played the Duport Stradivarius not the Davidov.

[JRAGeuphonium]

If Rostropovich were still alive, HE would be considered the greatest cellist in the world, not Yo Yo Ma. Rostropovich is far superior. Nuff said

[WantedAlex8754]

very intense... i think this version is much better than yo yo ma's or Mischs's interpretation but thats just me...

[anisometropie]

@WantedAlex8754 I can't bear Maisky's nor Maisky nor Maisky's beard

[acerb45666555]

hes great!

[Empathisantin57]

Ein wundervoller Solitär......unvergesslich ....

[Myers6609]

I loved his bach 3. I even liked his bach 4. But for some reason, I can't get into this one.

[Violinater]

I respect your opinion. Everyone has their own interpretations.

[notionpollution]

It's true, the Russian school does teach that the cello lies down rather than stands up, hence the angle that R has his cello at.

By the way the grandfather of the Russian school was Davidov. The stradivarius he owned is in yoyo ma's possesion now.

I think Rostropovich is unmatched though.

[helveticalouie]

@notionpollution

I don't know much about cello

but I prefer Mstislav's notes fanning throught the air, making its vibe resonate all the way to the heavens

Yoyo Ma made this piece so fresh, young and inevitabbly thin, like Pop music in compardion to the sound of this video...that's just MHP, Ma is a great artist nonetheless

[XiaoClone]

@notionpollution

You cant truly say who is better than another. It is impossible to master any piece of music, and music itself, like art, and especially with the Bach cello suites, is an interpretation that is different with every musician that plays it. Mstislav is one of the best, but it all comes down to an individuals opinion.

[motu828mk2]

@notionpollution The Davidoff that YoYo Ma owns was DuPres' cello and not Rostropovich's

By the way I think this cello is not a Stradivarius but an Amati, but I might be wrong...

[motu828mk2]

@notionpollution The Davidoff that YoYo Ma owns was DuPres' cello and not Rostropovich's

By the way I think this cello is not a Stradivarius but an Amati, but I might be wrong...

but the sound is really really amazing...

[notionpollution]

@motu828mk2 That's what I meant to say, if it was not clear....Davidov's (not Rostropovich's) Strad is the one yoyo ma plays.

[Fullmetal1890P]

@notionpollution I hold my cello the exact same way. I've just found it to be more comfortable and it's easier to go up into higher positions when it's right there and you aren't hunched over the cello. If somebody got on my case about that I'd probably stab them with my bow.

[xbasket12x]

@notionpollution The Strad he had before he passed away is NOT in Yo-Yo's possession. He has the Davidov while Rostro had the Duport. Get your facts correct

[MrBleachlikespenis]

@xbasket12x Hey man, chill no need for mean comments calling someone out =] Not many people know the actual names of the cellos, or who has them. Enjoy the genius of Rostropovich and hush.

[paobankaiviolin]

increible interpretacio, simplement maravilloso s una d mis piezas favoritas y q rostropovich la ejecut s mejor q nada, definitivament va a mis favoritos y 5 star....♀♪♪♪

[CaRoO1308]

Wao!!...

Como me gustaría aprender a tocar esta melodía... No se que tiene, pero me relaja!

Me lleva a tal punto de relajación que siento como si mi cuerpo flotara..Suena un poco ridiculo.. Pero es la verdad!

Que hermoso es que una persona en este mundo tan hostil pueda tocar algo tan bello...

[nivsha]

BRAVO! Beautiful cello also!

[Snobbstech777]

thats why it sold for $20 million XD

[TheViolaJunkie]

:O OMG!! thats ALOT! haha

[Shadowtech666]

lol i know XD. Im guessing when Perlman passes his violin will go between 25 and 30 million, even though he bought it for around 3.5 million. His violin is known as the "Soli Strad" and it is considered one of Stradivari's finest instruments.

[DivineXDiva]

very lovely♥

[demonninjaspider]

i havent been playing cello for very long (about a year) but isnt the cello tilted really steeply or something?

[wildkid13]

I think he needed to tilt his cello a little more than usual because he was a really short guy! (:

[selrz9]

For whatever reason Russian cellists tend to have their cellos tilted at more of an angle from the floor. I don't know why that is.

[D0g63rt]

Yeah, the Russian cello gang near the corner of 5th and 3rd on my block is always tilting towards traffic provocatively.

[bocaflojo]

it´s sad that this guy died two years ago...

[Mangachick19]

That is sad!  Aww, one less amazing cellist to light the world.

[bsod4u2]

Well nobody wins with time, he will not be forgotten. His mastery of the instrument is unmatched and his name shining bright.

A grand master he was,his music lights my days and those of many around the world. That has to say something.

[markmando333]

very beautiful

[freebuns]

try yo-yo ma's interpretation of the 5th prelude, i think you'll be blown away if you like this stoney grandpa.

[utmobbad]

This stoney grandpa is definatly one of the best cellist in 100 years or such, yo-yo ma aint as good as this man is.

But, YYM is good neverless, not just the same as Slava tho.

[dmahadyman]

Definately the best performance I've heard of this piece. Beautiful.

[BrunoAvellar]

Simply awesome. Rostropovich is the one that, in my opinion, brings the prelude to it's most beatiful and flawless state, balancing serenity and sadness in a unique way.

When I'm done learning Fauré's Elegy I will start studying this piece ^^

[SeanMcHugh02]

Only Rosropovich and Tortelier get the attack on the opening note right.

[doublealufwaffe]

"Right"?

[InSaneTK]

as in correct. I agree with SeanMcHugh02, Rostropovich is the only one ive heard that gets the right feeling and power into the first note.

[toterola451]

What a lovely performance! Thanks for sharing!

[AzzyMD]

His face shows, how much he feels the melody...

[shostakovichfan200]

his vibrato melts my heart

<3

i really wish i could have had a cello lesson from him

[uxnosidda]

why does bach end this movement with a major chord?

[TalliferUpplands]

Baroque pieces written in the minor often ended in a what is called a Picardy third: a major chord in the tonic. Sort of like the Christmas carol "Coventry Carol." Although I guess a Picardy third is technically when the major third sounds in the soprano in the final chord.

[nilocolin24]

@uxnosidda ultimate troll =)

[suicuna18]

this song inspired me to play cello..... i cant wait to master it.

[SecretXxOfXxTheXxIvy]

same here

[anisometropie]

how can he possibly play the first chord (C B F Aflat) without scardatura ?

[LanFeaR86]

what's scardatura? I don't play cello but I do play piano though.

[anisometropie]

I meant Scordatura : to play the 5th suite we have to tune the cello like that : G D G C instead of A D G C.

if we don't tune like that, on the A string we can't do the A flat. And to do this chord : C B F Aflat we need the 4 strings. but rostropovitch do the 4 notes of the chord with only 3 strings ( 0:13 ) and we hear it

[xujam]

Most of the editions people play of this suite, avoid the scordatura, with standartd tuning of course you may miss a few notes like that chord you pointed, most of the time people play only C B Aflat, but really the result is almost the same, and i have heard the 3/8 passage is much simpler without scordatura. Im not sure about that though because i only have the arrangement without it so i always play the simple version with my viola hehe

[YrYOUaFReak]

rostropovich is a master

[qhubbles]

@YrYOUaFReak yes... i don't know which one of both are the masterpiece: Rostropovich or Bach

[Thulaandme]

Brilliant acoustics; great tone; a real pleasure to listen to - and to have access to this at all is great! Awesome stuff, I like the gentleness in the sound.

[animeaff]

The Suites are really meant for cello; I tried playing them from a violin transcription and, there's not as much power:{

[maleficentgoth13]

He's awesome! the first time I saw and heard him play (not in person, just on youtube) I almost shit my pants. oh ya. he is gooood. :D

[FuyuNoTsuki8]

Wonderful piece, and amazing performance!

[IpsaPaphum]

My favourite movement from the cello suites!

[paulcopeland]

Very moving performance and beautifully played. Wonderful.

[Heulwen]

Haha, someone mentioned Haji on here. That's how I started liking and listening to this song.

But I think I have heard this somewhere before too. It was in a movie with David Spade. I can't remember what the song was or the movie. :(

But this sounds very nice.

[silentnocturne]

i've played for 2 years, the notes are easy but to make it sound this good is really hard.

[PBCFproductions]

just practice. Ive only been playing for 4 years and by year 3 I had completed all the bach suites. and other pieces like popper dance of the elves and Appalachian Waltz

[PBCFproductions]

dont be a whore, I was just encouraging someone who commented earlier.

[InSaneTK]

People can play the cello all their life and not master piece cello suites. Because playing the notes correctly doesn't mean you play the piece. This type of music requires so much more then everything we hear today.

[withindarkness666]

Yes, I know that. I have been playing my whole life. It requires a lot. I can play it correctly, but I have not mastered it.

[Allegrocailin]

any idea how much a cello costs ??

[mansonesque]

Nice to see someone wanting to take up cello. You can get a cello in the UK for anywhere from £250 for a crappy plywood one that'll fall apart, up to tens and even hundreds of thousands of pounds for the very best. For a decent beginner cello you'll want to pick up a decent factory one, which should cost you around £400-£600. I know they're not cheap, but for the sheer joy you'll get from playing cello it's worth every penny you can spare. Be sure to try out the cello before you buy though.

[GRABA85]

I don't know why but I like more the Maisky version. For me Maisky gives more emotion.

[1violon1cello]

Wow...

[anisometropie]

It's amazing to have two G string that resonate together. And Bach Wrote this cello considering the harmony that results from this tuning. This suite can only be played like that, otherwise it's no longer the 5th suite, the most emotional suite, that take us to the deepest of our soul, in the darkness.

Moreover, there are chords that you can't play without the proper tuning. the first par example, you have to play C B F G#, if the 4th string is not tuned to G, you just can't do it.

[moman1208]

lovelyy

did he tune his a string down?

[wuellewu]

No, i don't think so. Mabye it just a little bit old about that vedio, so it sounds difference...

[bruckner26]

Anyone cares to comment on Rostro's choice of playing the re-written version for traditional fifths tuning rather than the original?

[Cello1209]

Casals did it, so it has my approval. It's a lot easier to play, too.

[SyberAngelGabrielle]

No all revoles around blood+..^^

Although I also heard it there.

So amazying.. This is divine.. such beatiful sounds.

I've heard other performing this piece, on the site as well. And I think he's the best.

[bigdonkey002]

Does anyone else hear the bats in the church's celing?

[cybertooth49]

It breaks my heart.

[ChuuMei]

this man is truly a genius. he plays this piece with such emotion. i love it.

plus...it's from BLOOD+.<33 i was inspired by haji to learn the cello. :D i hope to play like this one day !

[ajoylessparade]

good luck. This is probably one of the hardest to play of all cello pieces.

And when you get to the fugue? forget about it

[Mow1345]

i wouldn't say that my friend. there are many, i mean tons of other pieces that are a lot harder and more complex than this piece. some that go into treble cliff and multiple  other pieces that are very challenging like the Dvořák cello concerto and just many others

[amb11222333]

oh me gawd its fucking hard

hahah haji inspired me to!!

i started playing the cello like 5 months ago and my instructer found me the music sheets for this piece and i was in shock

it sounds easy but trust me it isnt

if your play this piece on day i give you my luck!

[RedWasabii]

Haha playing this piece after 5 month of playing the cello is insane. More like impossible actually.

[cellohot]

Sempre il più grande!!!! per sempre!!!!!

[SelineSaintClair]

This is the song Hagi from Blood+ plays. I love it, beautiful. (Plus I LOVE cellos, my fiancee plays one)

[jhopfensperger]

The prelude is a little bit slow. The voicing in the fugue, however, is astounding.

[ajoylessparade]

I agree. this man takes that fugue and tears it a new one. ROCK ON

[Ajlmoody]

Ditto.

[BeretABC]

hes good

; )

[Pritintense]

does anyone know what kind of strings slava used? im going to take aguess and say either spirocores,jargars fortes?

[starman627]

so kewl...!!! *BLOOD+ fanatic*

[Cayo255]

Beautiful i need that right hand