Bach's Cello Suite No. 6 - Gavotte and Gigue (Rostropovich)

[leanneanneanne]

For some odd, inexplicable reason, listening to Bach makes me sit up properly in my computer chair.

[mermew]

I'm in love... head over heels gracefully tumbling through a field of daffodils.

[Beautvanity]

His hands are so elegant and perfect, as expected of a cellist, they need to take great care of their hands.

[Mrababab121212]

@Beautvanity You are right the hands are quite fine - johann seb bach cantor next time only hands show down and no music, at least not mine jsb!!!

[mr4748a]

@Beautvanity The whole cello section at my school plays bloody Knuckles.

[Candyraver26]

Oh my god. Breathtaking. Beautiful. Belisima!!

[Bootmahoy88]

YES. Flying...pure flight. Soaring.

[TheBene007]

i think music is the thing wich makes the difference between humans and animals

[mr4748a]

@TheBene007 .... Birds make music. 

[Soraplushie]

i personally love the heaviness he puts into this piece

[sergiomr28]

Grandiozo !!! Zoy Guitarrista Peruano, Egresado del Arguedaz y ziempre Quize tmb tocar Violonchello, Aun zigue ziendo un Ideal, Gracias Maestro por mantener vivo ese sueño ! I LOVE BACH !

[comnieto]

@kbrian49

I don't think that's an appropriate comment for such a masterpiece.

[benblue3]

I cried this is so beautiful.

[bubblez2454]

would this be a good song for an intermediate player? (advice on a solo please! ^_^)

[fundamantels]

@bubblez245

Simply put, this song is definitely not appropriate for an intermediate cellist. If you have ever looked at it or attempted it, you would notice the extremely difficult positions required to play it as this suite was really intended for a 5 string cello.To help you with a solo piece, I would recommend Tarantella as that is a challenging song to play but easily playable and sounds great. You could also try easier suits by Bach such as cello suite 1, prelude, which is a popular piece.

[cellomad1]

The way he plays the Gavotte I is too heavy for my taste, but the Gavotte II is wonderful.

[guitarman7111]

2:50 FLYING!!!

[kienmien]

in a jose saramago novel about death (As Intermitências da Morte), "the death" become alive after listening this piece...

[mamacha221]

sublime,es un privilejio escuchar a este virtuoso del chelo gracias

[kbrian49]

I jizzed in my pants.

[MeSoVeSo]

I would like to personally shake this man's hand.

[Mehilly]

@MeSoVeSo if only he were still live :/ great cellist im learning from one of his Grandstudents, so it's pretty awesome

[Tsarivanful]

trully imperessive... coz this suite for me is nearly impossible...

[TheJeff505]

I usually like songs fast (yo yo ma and Maisky) but Rostropovich's version right here is my favorite to listen to by far. He makes it rich with tone and emphasis on chords. That a boy

[test6803]

i like this

[SlyFox616]

I'm not sure that I like his Gavotte I that much...too heavy-handed. Gavotte II however, is brilliant.

[jruit25]

:( too bad Rostropovich died in 2007. He and his duport stradivarius are AMAZING

[violette1ify]

Lors que le violon me pose

Gavotte sur un lit de roses

[waynemarkstubbs]

Look at his face at 2:50. He's not playing the music - he's *feeling* it.

[MrSandynigger]

12 people are Rebecca Black fans.

[UssyPh2000]

!!Qué más puedo desear al ligarse Bach y Rostropovich....escucharlos y sentir sentir..nada igual!!! Los amo!!

[xTeaandcrumpets]

amazing! listening to this just transports me back in time-- it makes me feel so peaceful ♪♥

[scoopdavis]

I don't think i've ever anything quite as beautiful and moving as this piece ... I keep coming back to it and listening, and am literally blown away every time.

[LBanchio]

"There is anguish in this version of Gavotte and Gigue, listen to Masisky's version and you can tell the difference. Masisky hits every string clean and crisp while Rostropovich adds more emphasis on showing the struggle of the man, watch for the change at 2:17 the cello become and instrument of meticulous precision and devotion, listen how it changes back again and again with this piece- thus is life and love."

[Thatgirl8D]

Thanks babe I liked it ;) this guys good but I think (no not think) I know you are still my favorite because you are sexylicious cellolicous muah ily ;p

[typhoonaaron]

Bold. I keep going back between Rostropovich and Maisky's interpretations. Both so great. So different.

[zeeloph1]

12 People either have no ears, or no taste.

[martinbenitez13]

amazing

[Alexjr1543]

I don't like this version of Gavotte I (I prefer Maisky's version), but I loved the way he played Gavotte II.

[TheJeff505]

Ive been used to yo yo ma's version of this piece just because he's kinda the current definitive cellist. At first Rostropovich's version just seemed slow and boring in comparison, but now I am in love with it. He packs so much passion in every chord and melody.

[Surtak]

@TheJeff505

I think a lot of artist play these things far too quickly, like it's some sort of show of how fast you CAN play it. This piece is a perfect example of that. This sounds, to me, absolutely perfect. Mischa Maisky has the best interpretation in general on Bach's cello I feel.

[badwolf7242]

As much joy there is in watching a cellist I can bet there is NO greater feeling then actually playing it.

[nekonaru16]

@badwolf7242 But watching Rostropovich is a completely different thing altogether.

[Nat682]

It's hard to remember when listening to this piece that it is all played on one cello by one man with one bow. At times it sounds like about four cellos.

[thenotoriousadin]

the ending was very sad. just an empty chair, and a cello sitting on its side... the absence of rostropovich.... real shame really

[jwunschie14]

Gavotte 1 is my favorite movement in all of Bach. So much emotion, happy and sad

[Mig29tvc]

The cass of Rostropowitsch is so high, that you thinks somethint, that you need all your life to do the same !!!

[wHaaaTeeVeeR]

@BWV1013 Primero deberia empezar por respetar las opiniones y sobretodo los gustos y preferencias de los demas. Segundo si ud de verdad tuviera algo de criterio y sensibilidad musical se daria cuenta de que Misha Maisky es mucho mejor interprete y cellista que Rostropovich, y no hay que ser una genio para darse cuenta de eso. Le aconsejo que en vez de estar hablando basura se ponga en la tarea de escuchar cuidadosamente ambas versiones de las suites de bach ( Misha Maisky y Rostropovich).

[JairtkMi]

por favor esta bien que Rostropovich se un maestro pero Maisiky Tambien es un maestro y este gavotte lo toca mas rapido

[say3you3wont]

so if i played this as a solo for a solo and ensemble competition, what do you think people would say if i played it like this and not staccato like yo yo a or maisky?

[flaminminigod]

@say3you3wont create your own style dont imitate

[spoolnix]

Rostropovich brings tears to my eyes.

[bubububuchuchu]

Bravo! if I made that face at 5:09, I had to be thinking "damn, my hands are so tired"

[sposhiz]

I'm glad/surprised no one has made a stupid Justin B comment on here yet.

[Vennificus]

@sposhiz who?

[boomer4666]

@sposhiz and ironically your the first 

[say3you3wont]

@sposhiz you just ruined it :P

[thatmetalfan666]

@sposhiz delete youre comment please

[soulsongs56]

I love this video. His playing is very beautiful. I can see this being played at an 18th or 17th century masquerade. It is very light and fun with an underlying hint of formality.

[violinforce]

he is hairless

[violinforce]

he is bald!!!!

[say3you3wont]

@violinforce is that supposed to make him a lesser cellist? i don't think so.

[master6339]

THIS HAS DISLIKES?!?!?!

[frangdelsolar]

GENIO!!!!!!

[frangdelsolar]

GENIO!!!!

[jwunschie14]

My favorite interpretation on Youtube so far, but i prefer Starker's on one of his CD's. Simply magical!

[sean22919]

this is powerful.

[MetalMulisha619smob]

yeah i agree, Rostropovich is the shit. for 90 years old the man can still jam!

[aaronclyro]

@MetalMulisha619smob

Been dead for nearly four years...

[MrSnowmobilefreak]

The 11 people that disliked this video fail.

[G2D2ON]

wonderfull interpretation.he gives himself 100% on the instrument.

Life is "gift" after been gifted rostropovich gave us for our pleasure this "wonderfull "gift he received from God and from of course Bach.

We need from one another in this world.There won't be an escape without this.This is the opposite of destruction.Give to others and will be given onto you.

[StrandofMusic]

I tried playing this songs on viola, although it doesn't sound bad, it sound more richer, lively, and smooth on cello by far. But viola has its good points too.

[UncleTito72]

I have like six recordings of these suites, all by different artists, including Yo-Yo Ma's rendition. I have to say that Rostropovich's interpretation is my favorite by a landslide. Not only does the performance stir the soul, but the recording itself has a warmth that is hard to described. Other performances are better recorded, the quality of the recording, but Rostropovich added an intensity that it's hard to match. I love it.

[hurtyou123123]

Audio Cut at 6:22

[bonnmystic]

Does this sound like a Gigue? Jeesh, the Russians.

[cihad2003]

@TheSideflip

wich one do you mean?

Micha Maisky and yo yo ma?

[LatheniaJJ]

You go old man! :D

[michaellimbaugh]

wow! So difficult AND accurate. How does it come out so naturally and with perfect rhythm ? Amazing.

[XxZombiExSlayeRxX]

Cellos.

What else do I need to say?

[AnotherViolist]

While I'm a great fan of Rostropovich on a number of things (Dvorak Cello Concerto, Haydn Cello Concertos :D) I must say I prefer Maisky's interpretation of the Bach Suites.

[SqueekyMonkey101]

So majestic and royal...

[clds84]

So great... for a second there, there was nothing else in the world except him and his cello.

[Epsilon109]

Don't like this simply because i'd rather not have this under top rated comments, but WTH IS YOUR PROBLEM HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY DISLIKE THIS VIDEO

[tongafashion]

He was the best, but his Bach is so awful, he heats everynote like he hates it, and that vibrato can illuminated an entire city if you conect a cable to the string. Lets remember him for his wonderful recordings of the cello concertos...

[jokerXL512]

@tongafashion Do you know how old and arthritic he must have been playing this?! Look at the pain on his face. The guy was a master. I'd like to see you do that with as much fluency. Especially at his age in this recording.

[Riptose13]

@jokerXL512 i think thats just concentration..

[jokerXL512]

@Riptose13 Probably a little of that too. . . :P

[TheTimeTraveler100]

I'm here again :-) It seems that I have quite an obsession to Bach recently.

:-)

[Davinp123]

The cello is so good and I am inspired by this man cause I play viola and violin and electirc violin and I can play the cello very well. I love the songs he play cause there all good

[TheTimeTraveler100]

This is a very beautiful interpretation. Rostropovich - you so rock my world, my good man.

[wortwortwort42]

I've just watched three interpretations of this from Yo-Yo Ma, Mischa Maisky, and Rostropovich. Frankly, I am given chills by just how amazing each interpretation is, and how each one is unique despite being the same piece. Of the three, I think Rostropovich's is the most different. His interpretation is heavier, and feels sad or reflective in some ways. Mind you, I still LOVE all three, but his version is my favorite.

[jsbach777]

The two of them (Bach and Slava) might be sitting side by side in heaven discussing intepretations now... 5/5!!!

[mariadelamor21]

He is wonderful because each sentence has its meaning

[mariadelamor21]

Different. Very special comunication.

[beitserk]

My following grandson called Mstislav , although never touch the cello , I hope that if.

[Pickdivision]

That's the beautiful cello solo I've ever heard. We should all give credit to Bach.

[laurids2007]

beautiful beautiful beautiful! thanks for posting... how I miss him! I grew up listening to his performance... now he is gone and we, his fans, feel a little bit orphans!

[had9s8888]

its great, but where is the different of playing barock or romantic music? Different instrument and of course different sound... THIS sounds more like schostakowitsch for me. THE GREATEST thing OF THIS interpretation is BACH.

[thecarrotdude]

if you actually want to hear a good version of this being played listen to the one by Mischa Maisky. after you hear that this sounds like an crazy old man who found a cello in the street and is playing random notes and is accidently hitting two strings at once now and then.

[leonardocello]

@thecarrotdude Couldn't agree more! And I thought this piece was not as good as the Suite Nº 1.

[videoposter1410]

@thecarrotdude mischa maisky's version may be different, but this is no regular crazy old man. this is rostropovich, and if you have any idea of what he did and what he gave to us, you would not speak about him like that.

[crackhead2006]

I played cello when I was a kid, but nothing like this lol. Truly a piece of art on film.

[ItsyBitsySisky]

this is the most gorgeous thing ive ever heard.

[ChioCytosine]

This man was so incredible. If only he were still here to bless us with his beautiful performances.

[Natashenka91]

an amazing piece of art!!!

[mathfife]

If you have yet to hear his work...Andrew Bird is a gooden.

[TheSensationalMusic]

Great Music  youtube.com/watch?v=2i3Ua1gQLm­Q

[Jammie001]

I remember someone telling me once that Rostropovich had never played a wrong note in his life. I now see why they said that.

[CallOFDutyMVP666]

Bach's suites are the vioce of god.

[regaldrifter]

ive been searching for music and i hit the jackpot.

[brigmate]

A soulful, masterful interpretation

[BloodyRose118]

this is a man who truly loves music :3

an absolute masterpiece :D

[glorplaxy]

it sounds so much better when it is played slowly like this. this is great.

[ml2007jan]

theres only someone like rostropovich in one in a million years XOXOXOXOXO

[warmstringcheese]

wow i am trippin so hard on mushroom right now. excellent performance. bravo, sir.

[BWV1013]

No hay otra manera de explicarlo mas que con la palabra hermoso magnifica interpretasion. Unica en el mundo u.u

[paulostroff99]

Superb!

[turtle53081]

liked gigue better than gavotte

[roryyyyyy]

I prefer Isserlis' interpretation.

[Zemery1]

Wish i was born a little earlier so i can just listen to him play at a concert

[narvi1834545]

wow, thats very difficult to play!!

[WanaBeMusician1992]

truly beautiful :)

and i would really appreciate it if ppl would stop critising interpretations....after all it IS interpretation, whether it is too fast or too slow depends entirely on the performer's wishes. who are you to decide how the piece should sound like to him or to ppl who actually like his performance?

next time think twice before critising other ppl's work and have a more open mind....

[Lulzman69]

Good point of view.

Though I must say you should work on your grammar.

Also, please don't kill me for this, but I don't tihnk that a song's pace should be altered because of the player's wishes, but more beacuse of his feelings that have been inlfuenced and/or created by his music.

That is, what should influence a composer, an audience, and a player's attitude towards a song isn't it's complexity, but rather the feelings it induces upon being heard, do you not agree?

[WanaBeMusician1992]

You have basically expanded on my reasoning as to why people should not be so quick to judge the performer's way of playing, so yes i do agree.

As for the grammar, i was quite tired when i wrote my 1st post, and i guess i can say the same for you...

[JustinBCello]

too slow

[gpaese]

Sends chills down my spine every time I listen to this.

[stolieolie]

pretentious assholes.

[MrCrookedbow]

I wonder if Rostropovich ever had hair,maybe balding patterns are linked too musical genius.

[Greattauro]

@MrCrookedbow I don´t think so, look at Maisky :D

[vlnvlaclogbaerhpno]

Is anyone else noticing that his A string sounds like it's flat and out of tune with the CGD? It caught my attention, especially in the gigue, because the intonation of a lot of it was really off.  It sucks if it just started going flat on him before he played, because it's really hard to adjust to one string being out of tune during a performance!

[vlnvlaclogbaerhpno]

I know that Rostropovich was a great cellist and all, but the way he plays the Gavotte I.....is it necessary to be quite so plodding? It sounds far too slow and heavy to me.

[bsod4u2]

Rostropovich a grand master.

There are none better. A pleasure to listen to and never tiring. A pure delight for the ears and mind.

[popim123erwq]

@bsod4u2 yo-yo ma is at same level?

[bsod4u2]

@popim123erwq

IMO Yo-Yo Ma is in the master class,just not as pure as Rostropovich was. Maisky,another virtuoso,some pieces he plays better(to my liking) than Rostropovich,but overall Rostropovich is still the gold standard.

He is what Paganini and Wieniawski were to the violin.

[popim123erwq]

@bsod4u2 hmm

well everyone has their opinions.

[DrAgOnFoRcE2122]

IMO rostropovich owns yo yo ma =))

[Katamanteuomos]

I think I wasn't well understood- I replied to comment of Hunksha which reminds me of one Monty Python's sketch and I wrote just for sowing some anxiety in his masiskism and probably a purism. I won't argue about the musical taste but I'm amazed especially by that recording of Rostropowicz. The meaning of life.

[Ratuh123]

great music for study times. Thanks for sharing =)

[PatTheStalker]

little to slowly separated at the beginning. aside magnifico!

[Vilaries]

This is the most beautiful music I have ever heard... :')

[FedericoAndreas]

semplicemente fantastico.. simply amazing..

[Funebre6]

si esta no es musica me los mocho!

[jblackbath]

Absolutely magnificent!! Bravo!

[Hunksha]

I'm really sorry everyone, but, after hearing Maisky's, this is what it would sound like if you were to try and sail a battleship on a street in New York City.

[pierrot79]

I totally agree

I spent my young age dreaming I was Rostropovitch, and still today, I cannot listen to Schuman, Dvorak or Chostakovitch concerti by anyone else ... but obviously Bach was not well suited for him.

This said, his version was maybe the only one dapated to big halls :)

My favourite version is the one by Wispelwey . For me, Maisky is too much out of tune.

[MAR00NPHOENIX]

I agree with you.

[Katamanteuomos]

Right. He plays like he was a really ferocious and horrible corsair, but that's the Meaning of Life..

[arwena55]

right, but it is great on it's own!

[BornInTheCreek]

very beautiful piece. absolutly stunning

[Sqaaak]

"Slava": at once and at the same time the most physical and spiritual of exponents of the Suites, thus proving and resolving that wonderful Paradox that Bach and the other Classicists propose, and achieving that most enviable and happy of masteries: that of moving our hearts deeply. And what a most appropriate location for the Maestro to give us this priceless Gem of Beauty and Compassion; we loved him madly!

[MusicMatterMore]

Hes amazing in this piece sounds like a very festive dance

[Lukecash12]

This performance bewilders me. Of all of his performances, this is the most noble of the Gavotte. Some others may be sweeping, full of praise, striking, and wonderful in an awful lot of different ways. But this is a very noble performance.

[XxXGetLuckyXxX]

Maisky crushes this gavotte.

[anisometropie]

True

[JonRobert]

this song is truly amazing and Rostropovich makes it all that much better

R.I.P man

[ArabQuinn]

it sounds like a song

not like an orchestra song

[Hunksha]

wow.

[ArabQuinn]

he is amazing.

god(or whoever you believe in) gave him to let us all hear his majnificence. but then god wanted him back to he can play for everyone up there.

:)

[astern1]

Nah, He just spent his whole life perfecting this magnificent skill, there is nothing supernatural about it.

[gregapage]

OMG this is absolutely stunning!

Rostropovich will always be the greatest.

R.I.P.

[francello75]

R.I.P. Greatest dedushka Slava.

[semi0epic0cellist]

It is a truly beautiful piece, and performance (shame he passed away though)

The piece is not too difficult to play, although tuning the chords at tempo are difficult

[20gilbert20]

At this great maesto's level, the phrasing is well thought out. There are no accidents in his wonderful performances.

[shawncountrycow]

This version is so powerful & searing compared to others even if it is a modern interpretation! His phrasing makes this baroque piece moves me like something from the romantic era. I prefer it to the more proper and sometimes "goofy" phrasing of the baroque era.

[SlyFox616]

Hearing Rostropovich perform the other five suites is a blessing, but hearing him play the 6th suite is a revelation. So full of life and spirit it's almost overwhelming.

[thedarkhands]

I must say, of all the Suite's; this one has to be my favourite.

[LiftedElephant]

i like how he doesnt rush it:)...i didnt really like yo yo ma's rendition of it...to fast or rushed like:)

[sj4steele]

Not that I expected anything less from Rostropovich , but this is by far one of the best performances I have ever seen!!! Wish I could've seen it live :-(

[Irockdatkolor]

i like 2:50 to 3:08. I love that part cause it makes me feel like im flyin for some reason. And 3:22 to 3:48