Catalogue

Summary:

“…Purity is a strong element of Meneses’s interpretations, yet he is willing to cast a more expansive dimension on the two darker, minor-key Suites. Thus the Second is a particularly dramatic work in his hands, from the solemn grandeur of its ‘Prelude’ to the almost aggressive ‘Allemande’, with any visions of a leisurely dance put immediately on hold under this considerable attack from Meneses. The Fifth also crackles with atmosphere, a gruff ‘Prelude’ digging in for the fugal section, whose fiendish technical demands are overcome with little fuss…” – Ben Hogwood, ClassicalSource.com

“there is no questioning his [Meneses] technical mastery or his judgements about tempi and accentuation …” – Nalen Anthoni, Gramophone

“… Antonio Meneses is master of his instrument and defers modestly to Bach… His rhythmic instinct is exemplary… Meneses communicates the joy of the music rather than the challenge to the cellist. His straightforward, no-nonsense interpretation allows Bach to speak for himself.” ★★★★★ – George Pratt, BBC Music magazine 

“… Meneses steps forward to deliver performances that sound both deeply meditated, utterly spontaneous, and completely convincing. Meneses’ strong touch, sweet tone, and supple technique can handle anything the Suites throw at him. But, better yet, Meneses has the heart, the soul, and the spirit to make the Suites come alive under his fingers and bow…” ★★★★ – James Leonard, AllMusic.com

“… Like a peace-maker between rival factions, Meneses plays as if inspired, as if motivated by something bigger than all of us. He brings together a lifetime’s experience of playing and reflecting on this sublime music, and incorporating all the richness and expressive freedom of the ‘old school’ with the more cerebral, intellectually-illuminated thinking of today’s so-called ‘specialists’. These are enduring performances, which you can live with comfortably. A truly wonderful thing, it deserves the strongest recommendation …” Peter J Lawson, MusicWebInternational.com

Brazilian cellist Antonio Meneses, a member of the Beaux Arts Trio and a frequent collaborator of the world’s greatest conductors and orchestras, takes a solo turn with the most noble of works for his instrument, J S Bach’s Six Cello Suites.

A consummate master of his instrument, Antonio started playing the cello when he was 10 years old. At the age of 16 his musical studies took him to Europe, and in 1982 he won the Gold Medal at the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. He has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, among others, with such conductors as Karajan, Abbado, Rostropovich, Muti and Chailly. In the recording studio he famously collaborated with Karajan and the Berlin Philharmonic in Brahms’ Double Concerto for Violin and Cello (with Anne-Sophie Mutter), and Strauss’ Don Quixote.

Playing a Jean-Baptiste Vuillaumme cello from Paris c.1840, Antonio’s renditions of Bach’s seminal works are marked by purity and grace, introspection and sophistication.

Tracklist:

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750)

Six Suites for Solo Cello

Disc 1

Suite No. 1, BWV 1007 in G major (16:27)
1. Prélude (2:18)
2. Allemande (3:39)
3. Courante (2:36)
4. Sarabande (2:53)
5. Menuet I & II (3:18)
6. Gigue (1:46)

Suite No. 2, BWV 1008 in D minor (18:29)
7. Prélude (3:33)
8. Allemande (2:55)
9. Courante (2:02)
10. Sarabande (4:22)
11. Menuet I & II (3:05)
12. Gigue (2:36)

Suite No. 3, BWV 1009 in C major (20:22)
13. Prélude (3:10)
14. Allemande (3:33)
15. Courante (3:00)
16. Sarabande (4:15)
17. Bourrée I & II (3:06)
18. Gigue (3:30)
Total time CD 1: 55:37

Disc 2

Suite No. 4, BWV 1010 in E flat major (22:38)
1. Prélude (3:54)
2. Allemande (3:44)
3. Courante (3:18)
4. Sarabande (4:14)
5. Bourée I & II (4:50)
6. Gigue (2:41)

Suite No. 5, BWV 1011 in C minor (23:08)
7. Prélude (6:01)
8. Allemande (5:00)
9. Courante (2:07)
10. Sarabande (3:26)
11. Gavotte I & II (4:22)
12. Gigue (2:15)

Suite No. 6, BWV 1012 in D major (26:46)
13. Prélude (4:24)
14. Allemande (7:04)
15. Courante (3:37)
16. Sarabande (4:05)
17. Gavotte I & II (3:46)
18. Gigue (4:01)
Total time CD 2: 72:49

Recorded 2 – 5 June 2004, at St. Martin’s Church, East Woodhay, Berkshire, England
Produced, Engineered and Edited by Simon Fox-Gal