Bach: Cello Suites Nos. 1-6

Mstislav Rostropovich was renowned not only as one of the great instrumentalists of the 20th century, but also as an outspoken champion of artistic freedom in the Soviet Union during the last decades of the Cold War. Rostropovich was often credited as the man who enriched the standard cello repertoire more than any cellist before.

As a cellist, Rostropovich is noted for his commanding technique and intense, visionary playing. He played a vast repertory that included works written for him by some of the 20th century's greatest composers. He dazzled listeners with both his richly personalized interpretations and majestic warmth of tone. His graceful accounts of the Bach Suites for Unaccompanied Cello illuminated the works' structural logic as well as their inner spirituality.

This 2CD Brilliant Box contains the complete 1995 recording of all six Bach cello suites, Rostropovich's bestselling legendary recording.

CD 1:

Suite Nr. 1 (BWV 1007) G-dur = In G Major = En Sol Majeur

1. I. Prélude - 2:04

2. II. Allemande - 3:20

3. III. Courante - 2:34

4. IV. Sarabande - 3:21

5. V. Menuet I – - 1:17

6. Menuet II – Menuet I - 2:03

7. VI. Gigue - 1:33

Suite Nr. 4 (BWV 1010) Es-dur = In E Flat Major = En Mi Bémol Majeur

8. I. Prélude = Preludium - 4:26

9. II. Allemande - 3:32

10. III. Courante - 3:39

11. IV. Sarabande - 5:09

12. V. Bourrée I – - 3:24

13. Bourrée II – Bourrée I - 2:45

14. VI. Gigue - 2:31

Suite Nr. 5 (BWV 1011) C-moll = In C Minor = En Ut Mineur

15. I Prélude - 7:23

16. II. Allemande - 5:11

17. III. Courante - 2:26

18. IV. Sarabande - 3:51

19. V. Gavotte I – - 2:46

20. Gavotte II – Gavotte I - 2:55

21. VI. Gigue - 2:25

CD 2:

Suite Nr. 2 (BWV 1008) D-moll = In D Minor = En Ré Mineur

1. I. Prélude - 4:08

2. II. Allemande - 2:49

3. III. Courante - 2:09

4. IV. Sarabande - 6:07

5. V. Menuet I – - 1:20

6. Menuet II – Menuet I - 1:58

7. VI. Gigue - 2:44

Suite Nr. 3 (BWV 1009) C-dur = In C Major = En Ut Majeur

8. I. Prélude - 3:24

9. II. Allemande - 3:47

10. III. Courante - 3:48

11. IV. Sarabande - 5:18

12. V. Bourrée I – - 1:56

13. Bourrée II – Bourrée I - 2:42

14. VI. Gigue - 2:51

Suite Nr. 6 (BWV 1012) D-dur = In D Major = En Ré Majeur

15. I. Prélude - 5:17

16. II. Allemande - 10:31

17. III. Courante - 3:32

18. IV. Sarabande - 4:52

19. V. Gavotte I – - 2:17

20. Gavotte II – Gavotte I - 2:53

21. VI. Gigue - 4:09