Pau Casals i Defilló moved to Puerto Rico in 1955. His mother was from the city of Mayaguez, Pablo Casals Founded the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra in 1958, and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. My parents Knew him and believe me, he liked to be called as Pablo and he died at the age of 96, also he wanted to be buried in Puerto Rico. His legacy still Alive!
@ccleasd Yes, Rostropovich definetly has one of the best, if not THE best interpretation of Dvorak's cello concerto. But so far I haven't heard much else of his that I like, but if you have any listening suggestions I'de be happy to hear them.
I can't help but like Pablo's interpretation (or Pau for those of you prefer if that way) better then Rostropovich. All these people talk about how great Rostropovich is but most of what I've heard him perform I dont' really like
Listeners, these recordings were all made prior to World War 2, and good as they are, if Casals had had at his disposal, 21st century recording technology, the result would have been a revelation. Therefore bear this in mind before making comparisons with modern 'cellists' interpretation of Bach. All are excellent; it's just a matter of personal taste and fancy.
@brurov És el mateix de sempre, als catalans quan hem tingut personatges universals, els hi canvien el nom per evitar ser reconeguts com a catalans. Només cal visitar la wikipèdia d'altres llengues, com als personatges catalans i amb nom català, hi surten amb el nom en castellà. Això s'arreglaria amb la independència, però sembla que la gent no té prou orgull.
@Free4Catalonia Yes, we all know Pau Casals was his birth name and his Catalonian descent demands proper use of his christened name. However, most of his professional career was advertised under the name most popularly known as Pablo Casals. The majority of his released alums were labeled with that name, so how can it be wrong as well? If the master did not care to vary his name, then I think respect should be given to the name he performed as.
@Free4Catalonia As a non-gentleman I am startled by the implication that anyone listening to this recording must be male - I assure you that I am not!
@Free4Catalonia You sound ridiculous. He took on that name when he became a profession musician. It's no big deal. It's not like we're calling him Fuckface Casals or something. Calling him Pablo isn't an insult. That's like going on a Snoop Dog video and yelling at people to call him Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. because that's his real name.
Is he estimating Bach's well-tempered system? Or is he just pitchy? It sounds like each B natural he hits is generally in tune with the others he plays, but he is at A 440 which doesn't make sense, and the chord at the end sounds like the octave is a little augmented to my ears... this recording is late in casals' career, right?
@sparsematrix Of course all great artists like Casals are immortal only after their mortal death but before that they are simply mortals. Like all such elusive properties artistic quality easily lends itself to all sorts of quaint and irreducible conundrums. So you might be both right and wrong in a way and perhaps only maybe but then again maybe not. I'm glad we put that to rest.
interesting to see the many different ways of how people express their love and passion for music. If you can get past the obvious termperment that Casals is playing and look more on the subtle "hair-pins" that he places throughout.
@AlannahClaire I just started a couple of weeks ago. It is difficult but as with anything else, perfect practice does make perfect. It is impossible at first and effortless in time.
@AlannahClaire All instruments in a symphony orchestra are difficult at roughly the same caliber (except for percussion, not trying to start a fight or anything) though I wouldn't try to judge if an instrument is easy or not, more so choose an instrument that is easy. If you want to play cello, play cello. If you want to play oboe, play oboe. Go for what you truly want to play, don't go for what is easy.
He's not Pablo Casals, he's PAU Casals. In his words at the ONU in 1971: "But let me say one thing: I am a Catalan". His parents put him the name Pau...in catalan. Not in spanish (Pablo). Please, respect. Thanks.
@ aimson: Hey, as of the last time I tuned in here. it seems you've mended your ways and uploaded a better version of Casals playing this Suite! No markedly falsified notes due to warping on this one.. That's excellent now, thank you
Perhaps JS Bach would enjoy this interpretation as Casals digs into the heart of the composer, and many musicians fail to enhance expression that composers, as myself, are very fond of.... I believe Casals makes music more human...
His name is Pau, because he was catalan, as he said in ONU's speech, he wants the peace (which casually is "Pau" in catalan), and the freedom of his country, Catalonia and for all the rest of the world!
Habla en Cristiano!!! That's a youtube english video, if you don't know any languge more is your problem...I could say to you that you're speaking a 3rd world language, but I don't want to be as you! "Bon vent" and when we be free I'll send you a postcard, xD!
Yes but the Anna (not Maria by the way) Magdalena manuscript is notorious for it's inconsistencies. Any serious student of these Suites knows that. ↓ ↓
I was simply remarking upon the fact that our original copy says that. The difference is a matter of opinion; most people believe that Anna (thank you, I get mixed up with Beethoven's mother xD) Magdalena's manuscript has a wrong note in that spot, and Casals believes that Bach simply wrote a note that sounds strange.
Strange. he's almost playing it swingtime like a jazz musician. He seems to have an aversion to 16th notes (unlike Ma, who cant play them more literally) He also made a mistake at 1:34! Thats a Bb, not a B!!! DOH!!!
That is because this is the style of his era. Romantic......Some will like it and some will hate it. I don't wish to upset any one so I'm not giving my personal opinion. This is You Tube after all..........!
I think Mischa Maisky combines the emotion of this version with the technique of yo-yo ma's, and that's why his is my favorite. Although this is cool because he puts a kind of swing emphasis on it, I'm not sure i like it.
@DietrichMarlena Interesting you should say that - to which I would add Anner Bylsma. And what is the link between Casals, Maisky and Bylsma? They all three play/played Matteo Gofriller 'cellos, which Casals considered superior to Stradavarius. He examined a Strad that came up for sale, made an offer for it which was not accepted. So he resumed the use of the Gofriller, which remained his concert instrument for around sixty years.
Master piece and master cellist! His understanding of this piece is really fabulous and shows his own style. And listen to the sound of his fingers prssing on the finger board! That's really master- like! We are luck to hear this recording!
sorry but i really kinda hate all of casals recordings especially his bach suites...hes considered a master of the Suites but i dont like his interpretations at all. Yo-Yo ma, and Rostrapovich recordings are much better
Casals had, in addition to superior technical facility on his instrument and the corresponding natural endowment to be able to play as he did on the cello, an impeccable sense of relative pitch in his mind's ear. I don't believe he ever would have allowed himself the possibility of producing some of the false note pitches that can be heard in this recording at times
. Imperfect tuning, or scordatura, or just intonation, or whatever you name it identify it, is an attempt to achieve a desired harmonic resonance from the instrument and from the set of strings of the instrument.
This desired harmonic or tonal effect doesn't have, or shouldn't have, any bearing on the precision of relative pitch with which the notes are sounded or produced by the cellist. I find the harmonic effects of scordatura very pleasing, but simply do not think this recording is technically true to the origninal performance by Casal of this movement on his cello.
Try not to be too clueless when you describe the instrument as "untuned." As one commenter mentioned, it is not even-tempered on purpose to reflect Bach's style (e.g., "well-tempered"). There is no such thing as "absolute intonation" and musicians are free to play flat or sharp depending on what they want to accomplish. For example, tuning a violin sharp almost always makes it sound better, which is why the solo violinists tune to the sharp side.
aimson: I don't like the sound of this recording. If you listen to mostly all Casals recordings of the Bach Suites I think you will discover that Casals did not subscribe to the tuning commonly known as 'just intonation' I think, and which it pleases me to refer to, jokingly, as untuned. Please don't report this to the thought police, in any event. Deal?
Yeah, no prob. I figured you were just another snide youtube browser - they leave these kind of comments all the time. I stand corrected and apologize for the clueless remark. Keep the criticism coming, as long as it is thoughtful and respectful. The thought police isn't so bad to have given the immaturity of some youtube viewers. I'll try not to be a Thought Nazi though :)
My beef is with the recording not with the superlative tone quality that Casals could produce on his instrument. I can find no one who is his equal in that department. I think that he's the pack leader by far of all the great cellists from Feuermann and Piatigorsky down to Yo yo ma and all his contemporaries. Theres no comparison at all for my money.
estalliure, Pau Casals sentiria vergonya i llàstima de tu, encara que per sort per ell si hagués tingut la mala sort de trobar-se amb tu, segurament t'hauria ignorat.
It doesn't sound like Casals thats for sure. Listen to the other video its completely different. This one is a pretty fudgy Bach to be honest. Doesn't sound like the real deal to me, probably some kid playing games.
You are not alone with this opinion. It's okay to take liberties with rhythm, but his to my ear do not sound organic. No need to apologise for your opinion, given it's a fairly common one amongst those with a trained ear. Not implying those that love his interpretation have an untrained ear, but there is room for a discerning audience to disagree.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
why did I recieve negatives for myopinion? If you wantto know the truth,...Pablo Casals is my FATHER,...and if you dont believe that,...go suck an ass!!
Hmmm.. honestly I don't understand why you think Yo-yo Ma fails to "evoke his self-felt emotions".
His is a very sincere and delicate interpretation.. In my youth I used to like the suites interpreted by severe deep and profound german cellists.. seeking the meaning of life..the equivalent of a Bergman movie atmosphere. Now however Yo-Yo Ma's version is lighter and fresher. If you ever get hold of his videos on the suites, the suite in G is usd to accompany the creation of a garden !!!
Listen again carefully, don't tell me that that isn't an intonation problem at 1:33, don't tell me that at 0:09 he doesn't rush the notes.. and don't tell me that the totally uncalled for stressing of the third note in the 3-4 opening bars doesn't spoil the flow and atmosphere.
In fact if you listen to the video response ( where he plays in a church) all these problems are missing.
So, sorry.. but let's call a fig a fig.. Casals himself would agree. it's less than awesome
Try an experiment.. gather in one CD a couple of interpretations and listen to them.. leaving Casals for last. Ok, don't include Yo-Yo .. try Bylsma, Rostropovitch, Mischa Maisky, Maria Kliegel and, one I particularly like, Truls Mork.
Blindly and uncritically idolizing everything that Casals did reminds me of people who think modern art begins and ends with Picasso.. !!
OK.. now it's my turn to ask you to .. cool down !
It's a bit extreme to say that Yo-Yo Ma's style s not worth listening, isnt'it ? So I won't go into that at all.
However I will stick to my guns and re-iterate that quite simply, *this* particular rendition of Bach's prelude from No1 is ..underwhelming ! I have every regard for Casals but this one .. no.
imperfections are, sometimes, a very important part of a musical interpretation... like in this case. Casals plays this piece uniquely and his touch is absolutely awsome.
This is fantastic!
ELINTJE70 1 week ago
who needs video :) just listen and let the music carry you away. GREAT POST
duchessofpercy 2 weeks ago
what anglistic tone ^_^
Just2intoxicated 2 months ago
I wish my video sounded like this) :
chellumin 2 months ago
His interpretation of this suite, for me, it´s the better. In second comes Yo-Yo-Ma, that´s very close to Casals.
CreamDry 3 months ago in playlist Mais vídeos de aimson
Merci beaucoup. Excellente.
MsOlenka5555 3 months ago
Merci beaucoup. Extraordinaire et excellente.
Isospinsymmetries 5 months ago
A masterpiece of wonderous beauty...now used in iPhone commercials.
seeinspots542 6 months ago
great, music. in the world the best or not? ferfido ags.
MoodstradMitwool 7 months ago
This is superb!-JazzmanJeff
JazzmanJeff 7 months ago
Amazing piece! Bravo "Maestro"
Pau Casals i Defilló moved to Puerto Rico in 1955. His mother was from the city of Mayaguez, Pablo Casals Founded the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra in 1958, and the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico. My parents Knew him and believe me, he liked to be called as Pablo and he died at the age of 96, also he wanted to be buried in Puerto Rico. His legacy still Alive!
MrSicodeliah 8 months ago 3
@MrSicodeliah still died too soon. I hate seeing life-force go away.
seanhanna78 7 months ago
@seanhanna78 Everything dies, but legacy still... We die :/ .... I know what you mean.
MrSicodeliah 7 months ago
Very good version, but sorry, I prefer from far Paul Tortelier.
gama1129 8 months ago
So this is the Death & Rebirth song.
TheWildwest666 8 months ago
I LOVE BACH WITH PAU CASALS!!!!!!
UssyPh2000 8 months ago in playlist cello
...dat wuz real purty...
drogheda1966 9 months ago
@ccleasd Yes, Rostropovich definetly has one of the best, if not THE best interpretation of Dvorak's cello concerto. But so far I haven't heard much else of his that I like, but if you have any listening suggestions I'de be happy to hear them.
Cellolife97 10 months ago
I can't help but like Pablo's interpretation (or Pau for those of you prefer if that way) better then Rostropovich. All these people talk about how great Rostropovich is but most of what I've heard him perform I dont' really like
Cellolife97 10 months ago
@Cellolife97 listen to the dvorak cello concerto with rostropovich there is actually noone who could make it better..
ccleasd 10 months ago
a forma de executar ,é diferente possos sentir neste tocar esplendido
ovidiogomesjesus 11 months ago
:( i did not like this very much maybe its because i dont know much about music theroy but this just sounded kind of odd to me
MrAnimeStealth 1 year ago
I love this version.
mariafebrer 1 year ago
Sr. Casals is the one responsible for these cello suites of Bach's being saved from obscurity or even loss. It's great to hear his interpretation!
schlenkerla13 1 year ago
Comment removed
RainbowSkittleGirl 1 year ago
Listeners, these recordings were all made prior to World War 2, and good as they are, if Casals had had at his disposal, 21st century recording technology, the result would have been a revelation. Therefore bear this in mind before making comparisons with modern 'cellists' interpretation of Bach. All are excellent; it's just a matter of personal taste and fancy.
peteacher52 1 year ago
que bello que prsicion que talento que rectitud.......
gracias maestro por tu musica......
texashot38 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
His name was Pau Casals i Defilló, and was a Spanish Catalan cellist and conductor. He was known during his professional career as Pablo Casals.
mikel3737 1 year ago
bellissimo
northbeachfilms 1 year ago
Insane..!
abit123456 1 year ago
PABLO??? ÉS PAU CASALS!
SutraKarma 1 year ago
Sorry but his name was, PAU. (Peace). Pau Casals.
Not Paul, nor Paolo, neither Pablo, but: Pau .. .PAU CASALS.
Please Gentlemen. A respect for the master, is required.
Free4Catalonia 1 year ago 28
@Free4Catalonia
Crec que va deixar clara la seva catalanitat a la ONU i tot i així li diuen PAU POUL etc increible.
brurov 1 year ago 3
@brurov És el mateix de sempre, als catalans quan hem tingut personatges universals, els hi canvien el nom per evitar ser reconeguts com a catalans. Només cal visitar la wikipèdia d'altres llengues, com als personatges catalans i amb nom català, hi surten amb el nom en castellà. Això s'arreglaria amb la independència, però sembla que la gent no té prou orgull.
vadejocs 1 year ago
@Free4Catalonia Sure, but he was known during his professional career as Pablo Casals according to wiki
zerogravity724 1 year ago
@Free4Catalonia Yes, we all know Pau Casals was his birth name and his Catalonian descent demands proper use of his christened name. However, most of his professional career was advertised under the name most popularly known as Pablo Casals. The majority of his released alums were labeled with that name, so how can it be wrong as well? If the master did not care to vary his name, then I think respect should be given to the name he performed as.
Juggerknot79 11 months ago
@Juggerknot79 Agree
MrSicodeliah 8 months ago
@Free4Catalonia As a non-gentleman I am startled by the implication that anyone listening to this recording must be male - I assure you that I am not!
Therearepeas 7 months ago
@Free4Catalonia TELL THAT TO EVERYBODY ELSE WHO HAS POSTED HIS GREAT WORK HERE.
plee13821 5 months ago
@Free4Catalonia Disagreed. He was born in Spain with a Spanish name, of course a translation exists but it is not his official name.
TheVoodooMaker 3 months ago
@Free4Catalonia This is not very important....
LeTampinateur 3 months ago
@Free4Catalonia I know his real name is Pau Casals i Defilló but he was known as Pablo Casals through during his professional career, no?
PrincessSybilla77 3 months ago 6
@Free4Catalonia true he was originally named pau casals but he took the name pablo casals when he became a professional musician
juliothedrummer 1 month ago
@Free4Catalonia You sound ridiculous. He took on that name when he became a profession musician. It's no big deal. It's not like we're calling him Fuckface Casals or something. Calling him Pablo isn't an insult. That's like going on a Snoop Dog video and yelling at people to call him Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. because that's his real name.
Bridagierz 1 month ago 3
This has been flagged as spam show
He's name was and it will be for ever: " PAU " Pau Casals.
not Paul Paulo or Pablo
He was Catalan, He was nothing to do, with "Ejpain"
Free4Catalonia 1 year ago
Is he estimating Bach's well-tempered system? Or is he just pitchy? It sounds like each B natural he hits is generally in tune with the others he plays, but he is at A 440 which doesn't make sense, and the chord at the end sounds like the octave is a little augmented to my ears... this recording is late in casals' career, right?
jazzpsalti 1 year ago
Never bettered.
Pugophile 1 year ago
@sparsematrix Of course all great artists like Casals are immortal only after their mortal death but before that they are simply mortals. Like all such elusive properties artistic quality easily lends itself to all sorts of quaint and irreducible conundrums. So you might be both right and wrong in a way and perhaps only maybe but then again maybe not. I'm glad we put that to rest.
stlivermore 1 year ago
This playing is so nice. definately what I'm looking for.Thx for uploading it.
Estherthegenteel 1 year ago
interesting to see the many different ways of how people express their love and passion for music. If you can get past the obvious termperment that Casals is playing and look more on the subtle "hair-pins" that he places throughout.
RaithEndar 1 year ago
My favorite recording of this piece. Apologies to the legions of Yo-Yo Ma-nites.
skyd171 1 year ago
I'm thinking of starting to play the cello. Does anyone know if it is more difficult than any other instrument?
AlannahClaire 1 year ago
@AlannahClaire it is nothing easy dear. but like any other instruments, none are perfect, there is only close to perfect.
regaldrifter 1 year ago
@AlannahClaire I just started a couple of weeks ago. It is difficult but as with anything else, perfect practice does make perfect. It is impossible at first and effortless in time.
skyd171 1 year ago
@AlannahClaire All instruments in a symphony orchestra are difficult at roughly the same caliber (except for percussion, not trying to start a fight or anything) though I wouldn't try to judge if an instrument is easy or not, more so choose an instrument that is easy. If you want to play cello, play cello. If you want to play oboe, play oboe. Go for what you truly want to play, don't go for what is easy.
SqueekyMonkey101 1 year ago
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He's not Pablo Casals, he's PAU Casals. In his words at the ONU in 1971: "But let me say one thing: I am a Catalan". His parents put him the name Pau...in catalan. Not in spanish (Pablo). Please, respect. Thanks.
Baragor 1 year ago
His name was PAU Casals!
Never Pablo.
Thebloodlord666 1 year ago
man, i love this song. i'm really excited to be learning cello this summer! this song is my goal, but i expect it'll take a lot of work.
rjgxjhs 1 year ago
ecoute stilvermore!!!! fait toi un nom, et joue comme lui !!! rien a dire c magnifique
jimbreizh 1 year ago
my teacher just game me this song.. hell yes. and go american express for putting such a good song on their commercial
superstaradidas22 2 years ago
@ aimson: Hey, as of the last time I tuned in here. it seems you've mended your ways and uploaded a better version of Casals playing this Suite! No markedly falsified notes due to warping on this one.. That's excellent now, thank you
stlivermore 2 years ago
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stlivermore 2 years ago
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stlivermore 2 years ago
Perhaps JS Bach would enjoy this interpretation as Casals digs into the heart of the composer, and many musicians fail to enhance expression that composers, as myself, are very fond of.... I believe Casals makes music more human...
zenrecordsuk 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i still think yo yo ma is better no matter what any1 says
TwistOfReality1 2 years ago
@TwistOfReality1 lol i admire your steadfastness and adversity. Casals: one of the ultimate Bach players for me :-)
munkybrain 2 years ago 2
never mind you don have a video ,thanks for share Pablo with us
juanjesuschong 2 years ago
wow this is fabulous *stunned*
GabieGeeTV 2 years ago
Yo Yo Ma is better
TwistOfReality1 2 years ago
no, they both speak different musical languages, but YoYoMa is not better, he is different and he plays about sth else
arwena55 2 years ago 5
It's really just a different interpretation.
LKKSEmpress 2 years ago
this is good stuff but I like YoYo's better :)
gassyjeff 2 years ago
Romantic piece
LKKSEmpress 2 years ago
this is just the prelude
the16Hobitt 2 years ago
Fabulous Pau! He was so great playing the cell!
His name is Pau, because he was catalan, as he said in ONU's speech, he wants the peace (which casually is "Pau" in catalan), and the freedom of his country, Catalonia and for all the rest of the world!
Visca els Països catalans i la PAU mundial!
gateret 2 years ago
Gilipollas catalufo...
Freman99 2 years ago
Unos defienden sus ideas con argumentos, y los otros con insultos...// That's the diference between Catalonia and Spain!
Freedoom! i que visca la llibertat!
gateret 2 years ago
Eso, y las butifarras que os metéis por culo, maricas.
Freman99 2 years ago
Habla en Cristiano!!! That's a youtube english video, if you don't know any languge more is your problem...I could say to you that you're speaking a 3rd world language, but I don't want to be as you! "Bon vent" and when we be free I'll send you a postcard, xD!
Freedom for Catalonia!
gateret 2 years ago
When you be free. Ha, ha! Don't hold your breath, asshole...
Freman99 2 years ago
@gateret: Catalonia is beautiful place... FOR ME TO POOP ON!
Freman99 1 year ago
That is amazing
lollies811 2 years ago 2
this is true music. 6/5
paleteroman5567 2 years ago 3
Actually as for the Bb, our oldest surviving copy from Maria Magdalena has it marked Bb only the second time.
allanramsaysteele 2 years ago
Yes but the Anna (not Maria by the way) Magdalena manuscript is notorious for it's inconsistencies. Any serious student of these Suites knows that. ↓ ↓
chainstoking 2 years ago
I was simply remarking upon the fact that our original copy says that. The difference is a matter of opinion; most people believe that Anna (thank you, I get mixed up with Beethoven's mother xD) Magdalena's manuscript has a wrong note in that spot, and Casals believes that Bach simply wrote a note that sounds strange.
allanramsaysteele 2 years ago
Strange. he's almost playing it swingtime like a jazz musician. He seems to have an aversion to 16th notes (unlike Ma, who cant play them more literally) He also made a mistake at 1:34! Thats a Bb, not a B!!! DOH!!!
xylenz 2 years ago
xylenz
That is because this is the style of his era. Romantic......Some will like it and some will hate it. I don't wish to upset any one so I'm not giving my personal opinion. This is You Tube after all..........!
chainstoking 2 years ago
Su nombre no es Pablo sino Pau
aleroncedo 2 years ago 2
tampoco su nombre es diossss qeu bueno es
cristenian 2 years ago
he is my moms godfather
cepspiderdude 2 years ago
This is beautiful. Great bedtime music.
FeelOfFriction 2 years ago
bedtime? :|
Nekronn 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
You know what I mean bitch. Great music to crash too after smoking a j.
FeelOfFriction 2 years ago
Yeah this is beautiful... Much much better than rostropovich and yo-yo ma's... their recordings are so fast.
Casals feels and make you feel each note.
EXCELSO
beebledoggie 2 years ago
I think Mischa Maisky combines the emotion of this version with the technique of yo-yo ma's, and that's why his is my favorite. Although this is cool because he puts a kind of swing emphasis on it, I'm not sure i like it.
BassicallyMusic 2 years ago
Comment removed
DietrichMarlena 2 years ago
@DietrichMarlena Interesting you should say that - to which I would add Anner Bylsma. And what is the link between Casals, Maisky and Bylsma? They all three play/played Matteo Gofriller 'cellos, which Casals considered superior to Stradavarius. He examined a Strad that came up for sale, made an offer for it which was not accepted. So he resumed the use of the Gofriller, which remained his concert instrument for around sixty years.
peteacher52 1 year ago
beautiful beautiful tone and he savors every note. The build up to the climax of the piece is absolutely thrilling.
petrina1022 2 years ago 2
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too much vibrato for my taste
ghtgillen 2 years ago
by far my absolute favorite interpritation of the piece
<3
xchristaxcellox 2 years ago
i thinking this recording from the 1930
jsjassem 2 years ago
Master piece and master cellist! His understanding of this piece is really fabulous and shows his own style. And listen to the sound of his fingers prssing on the finger board! That's really master- like! We are luck to hear this recording!
hezixiao 2 years ago 16
sorry but i really kinda hate all of casals recordings especially his bach suites...hes considered a master of the Suites but i dont like his interpretations at all. Yo-Yo ma, and Rostrapovich recordings are much better
violaman313 2 years ago
Love the first note. Bold and artistic.
AHN5D 2 years ago 2
magnifique, je l'ai découvert grâce à szigeti (brahms -sonates pour violon&piano)
claudiezeh 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
yo no conozco a Pablo Casals.. Yo conozco a PAU CASALS!
xaarellano26 3 years ago
sal de tu comarca
witizer 2 years ago 3
sal del armario
xaarellano26 2 years ago 2
Casals had, in addition to superior technical facility on his instrument and the corresponding natural endowment to be able to play as he did on the cello, an impeccable sense of relative pitch in his mind's ear. I don't believe he ever would have allowed himself the possibility of producing some of the false note pitches that can be heard in this recording at times
stlivermore 3 years ago
. Imperfect tuning, or scordatura, or just intonation, or whatever you name it identify it, is an attempt to achieve a desired harmonic resonance from the instrument and from the set of strings of the instrument.
stlivermore 3 years ago
This desired harmonic or tonal effect doesn't have, or shouldn't have, any bearing on the precision of relative pitch with which the notes are sounded or produced by the cellist. I find the harmonic effects of scordatura very pleasing, but simply do not think this recording is technically true to the origninal performance by Casal of this movement on his cello.
stlivermore 3 years ago
That is what I meant, in the poem: it should have read "after Franco took power".
A Francoista would have been unable to play or even understand this piece.
spinoza1111 3 years ago
i think i like casals better for this piece than yo yo ma although both are amazing, every note casals play is like it's own musical composition.
amanduh111112 3 years ago
The greatest master playing an untuned intrument. I can live with it, but must try.a little.
stlivermore 3 years ago
Try not to be too clueless when you describe the instrument as "untuned." As one commenter mentioned, it is not even-tempered on purpose to reflect Bach's style (e.g., "well-tempered"). There is no such thing as "absolute intonation" and musicians are free to play flat or sharp depending on what they want to accomplish. For example, tuning a violin sharp almost always makes it sound better, which is why the solo violinists tune to the sharp side.
aimson 3 years ago 6
aimson: I don't like the sound of this recording. If you listen to mostly all Casals recordings of the Bach Suites I think you will discover that Casals did not subscribe to the tuning commonly known as 'just intonation' I think, and which it pleases me to refer to, jokingly, as untuned. Please don't report this to the thought police, in any event. Deal?
stlivermore 3 years ago
Yeah, no prob. I figured you were just another snide youtube browser - they leave these kind of comments all the time. I stand corrected and apologize for the clueless remark. Keep the criticism coming, as long as it is thoughtful and respectful. The thought police isn't so bad to have given the immaturity of some youtube viewers. I'll try not to be a Thought Nazi though :)
aimson 3 years ago
Thanks.
stlivermore 3 years ago
Good points. You may know that Biber called deliberate "mistuning" "scordatura" and used it extensively in his "Rosary" sonatas.
Perhaps a "perfectly tuned" instrument sounds flat for the same reason a "perfect CD" sounds lifeless: care to comment?
spinoza1111 3 years ago
My beef is with the recording not with the superlative tone quality that Casals could produce on his instrument. I can find no one who is his equal in that department. I think that he's the pack leader by far of all the great cellists from Feuermann and Piatigorsky down to Yo yo ma and all his contemporaries. Theres no comparison at all for my money.
stlivermore 3 years ago
@stlivermore Personally this is my favorite recording so far; compared to rostropovich, yoyo ma, et al.
skyd171 1 year ago
@skyd171 For my money: Casals and Starker were the true deal. All the rest are mere mortals.
stlivermore 1 year ago
CASALS
Love of music is knowledge here
Where every note is as right as rain
He didn't go back to Spain
After Franco why?
spinoza1111 3 years ago
*chills*
janiceANDiris 3 years ago 3
estalliure, Pau Casals sentiria vergonya i llàstima de tu, encara que per sort per ell si hagués tingut la mala sort de trobar-se amb tu, segurament t'hauria ignorat.
airto2001 3 years ago
estatlliure:
no acostumbro a comentar. Que es eso de sudaca? Sos un imbécil que encima de discriminar, no sabe que Casalls es de su país.
Ignorante: lee, aprende y después habla.
Lo cierto es que el titulo del video usa pablo y no pau
agrossomodo 3 years ago
It doesn't sound like Casals thats for sure. Listen to the other video its completely different. This one is a pretty fudgy Bach to be honest. Doesn't sound like the real deal to me, probably some kid playing games.
rushwarp 3 years ago 2
It sounds strange because the Cello isn't tuned to an equally tempered scale and is actually closer to what Bach intended it to sound like.
rizo299 3 years ago
hmmmm him and yo-yo ma's performances have very subtle differences. I like them both though
umaapow 3 years ago 2
heh well no two performances will be the same, of course.
if you want my opinion, though, I'd have to say I favor Pablo's sound over Yo-Yo Ma's.
To me, it just seems more pure, and honest.
gorefeind 3 years ago
ihrtmusic12334...you know what...actually i agree...on the dotted-quaver-sounding notes...
duhhh86 3 years ago
pablo?¿?¿ k es akesta vergonya...
ES PAU CASALS!!!!
catmiro 3 years ago
You are not alone with this opinion. It's okay to take liberties with rhythm, but his to my ear do not sound organic. No need to apologise for your opinion, given it's a fairly common one amongst those with a trained ear. Not implying those that love his interpretation have an untrained ear, but there is room for a discerning audience to disagree.
jlschlesinger 3 years ago
NOBODY comes even close to how Casals played and I doubt anyone ever will. He's like Glenn Gould on the piano. Of his own class. Absolutely divine.
resophon 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
why did I recieve negatives for myopinion? If you wantto know the truth,...Pablo Casals is my FATHER,...and if you dont believe that,...go suck an ass!!
PROJECTTROJANWARRIOR 3 years ago
Absolutely magic. He set the standard for all cellists.
acecoo 3 years ago
These suites are like the bible for cello players.
If I am not mistaken he is playing from an entirely different version where you can create the phrasing and decide where there are slurs and such.
Pablo Casals is one of the greatest cellists ever known in my personal opinion.
JTMDH 3 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
yoyoma is betta
PROJECTTROJANWARRIOR 3 years ago
Yo Yo Ma is great, but he himself talks about Pablo Casals as if he is the teacher..
Perhaps the sound quality is better for car stereo for average Am classical fans.. :P
ppchak77 3 years ago
Es fenomenal!
titimangos 3 years ago
¡Que grande Pablo o Pau Casals.gloria junto a los otros dos Pablos.Pablo Picasso y Pablo Neruda.¡Gloria a los tres.!
debartzen 3 years ago
es el Bach verdadero! gracias, desde GB.
pancras7 3 years ago
I don't like his phrasing, which seems choppy and has way too much rubato. I think there should be more legato.
billinrio 3 years ago
I agree.. very stupid phrasing.
chrupkolak 3 years ago
Well aren't you two just fantastic? It must be amazing to be one of you douchebags.
krebscycler 3 years ago
I'm referring to billinrio and chrupkolak.
krebscycler 3 years ago
Oh, I see, I should admire everyone, who can do sth, what I can't, according to rule: "don't be a know-all if you are not a master".
chrupkolak 3 years ago
Hmm... very stupid phrasing.
krebscycler 3 years ago
This is my favourite recording of this piece. Pablo Casals RIP.
andiejanefisher 3 years ago 9
Simplemente Espectacular...nadie como Casals..
Desde Puerto Rico... su segunda Patria.
fviera74 3 years ago
TOY DE ACUERDO maruru54, no puedes estar mas en lo correcto!!!
ceboide 3 years ago
This is incredibly beautiful. Casals was a master.
faraz1729 3 years ago 4
Mm, I just got the book of Bach suites arr. by Mr. Casals. Lovely.
yipster7rocks 3 years ago 2
Muy lindo ! ; gracias ,desde argentina !
bellinivernon 3 years ago
Great!
I'm composing a new song in Spanish inspired on this song. Click on my name above
"alfonsopablo" to listen and put your opinions.
Thanks!
alfonsopablo 3 years ago
Yes
Pau Casals
Why Pau? Because, "Pau" has the meaning in Catalan.
"Pau" means "peace" in Catalan.
23kfmk 3 years ago
I remember the episode that once Casals said "In Catalonia, birds sing "peace","peace"".
The birds may sing "peace", if the word peace in Catalan "pau".
23kfmk 3 years ago
Pau Casals, Pau Casals, Pau Casals, Pau Casals...
Pau, not Pablo.
uri93 3 years ago
I'm sorry- but what education do YOU have?
Until you get a diploma in pratical cello study, don't comment on Yo yo Ma's playing.
Azadeh22 3 years ago
this is good, I have a lot of respect for those who play fretless instraments, I don't know if I could be that exact
MichaelCheM 4 years ago
PAU CASALS !!!
orlutaid 4 years ago
Pau!!Catalan name!!
Thanks
PedrinRam 4 years ago
In some way he does not want to overwhelm and awe us but to share his art.. this is what I love about his music.
He is definitely not a pop-star primadona.. quite the contrary..
I understand what you're saying and I concur that technique is not everything however I listen to the music and judge on what it stirs inside me.
Sadly Casals doesn't. Perhaps it's my limitations..perhaps it's a different musical language.
I guess we will agree to disagree..
dvoulio 4 years ago
Hmmm.. honestly I don't understand why you think Yo-yo Ma fails to "evoke his self-felt emotions".
His is a very sincere and delicate interpretation.. In my youth I used to like the suites interpreted by severe deep and profound german cellists.. seeking the meaning of life..the equivalent of a Bergman movie atmosphere. Now however Yo-Yo Ma's version is lighter and fresher. If you ever get hold of his videos on the suites, the suite in G is usd to accompany the creation of a garden !!!
dvoulio 4 years ago
response to ppratana
Listen again carefully, don't tell me that that isn't an intonation problem at 1:33, don't tell me that at 0:09 he doesn't rush the notes.. and don't tell me that the totally uncalled for stressing of the third note in the 3-4 opening bars doesn't spoil the flow and atmosphere.
In fact if you listen to the video response ( where he plays in a church) all these problems are missing.
So, sorry.. but let's call a fig a fig.. Casals himself would agree. it's less than awesome
dvoulio 4 years ago
Try an experiment.. gather in one CD a couple of interpretations and listen to them.. leaving Casals for last. Ok, don't include Yo-Yo .. try Bylsma, Rostropovitch, Mischa Maisky, Maria Kliegel and, one I particularly like, Truls Mork.
Blindly and uncritically idolizing everything that Casals did reminds me of people who think modern art begins and ends with Picasso.. !!
dvoulio 4 years ago
in response to ppratana
OK.. now it's my turn to ask you to .. cool down !
It's a bit extreme to say that Yo-Yo Ma's style s not worth listening, isnt'it ? So I won't go into that at all.
However I will stick to my guns and re-iterate that quite simply, *this* particular rendition of Bach's prelude from No1 is ..underwhelming ! I have every regard for Casals but this one .. no.
dvoulio 4 years ago
The master.
abath07 4 years ago
imperfections are, sometimes, a very important part of a musical interpretation... like in this case. Casals plays this piece uniquely and his touch is absolutely awsome.
pereztonella 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Best cellist ? perhaps..! Great musician ? for sure !
but, I'm sorry, THIS particular rendition of the prelude STINKS !
Bad articulation .. even bad intonation for chrissakes .. don't you people HEAR ?
Go listen to Maissky or Yo-yo and think for yourselves !
dvoulio 4 years ago