Reviews

The Cello Suites: J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece by Eric Siblin

leslielu67's review against another edition

5.0

It's four stories in one: Bach biography; Pablo Casals biography (and history lesson redarding WW II and Spain and Franco); detective story regarding the Cello Suites; and little bit of the author's musical journey. I play the cello (although not very well!) and have Casal's version of the cello suites on my ipod, and listened to it while reading the book - awesome experience. I plan to seek out other recordings now, particulary one that features the 5-stringed instrument that the 6th suite was written for - if it exists.

carole888's review against another edition

4.0

A delightful read! The author gives us a glimpse of Bach’s Cello Suites by taking us on a journey back and forth through time following the lives of Bach, Pablo Cassales and also the author’s own journey too. This was well researched, informative and rich in historical detail. I’ve also looked up a few parts of Bach’s cello suites and have enjoyed listening to what I’ve heard so far!

roscoehuxley's review against another edition

5.0

I love the Bach Cello Suites. I was thrilled to see this book -- an entire book about a work of music? Siblin did a wonderful job integrating the history of Bach, Pablo Casals, and Siblin's own journey of discovery. I was familiar with Bach's history, but enjoyed learning more. I was not as familiar with Casals's story, so that was fascinating. I read much of the book with my copy of the Suites, trying to follow along, or listening to Rostopovich's recording.

cazaam's review against another edition

4.0

The Author's fanaticism was over the top at points. I play the cello suites on a cello and have a very personal relationship with these songs, but my feelings toward this sublime music are more subdued than the authors. Nevertheless, I'll take enthusiasm over apathy any day. His history of the suites was very approachable and interesting.

avora's review against another edition

4.0

It looks like this book is getting mixed reviews and I guess I can understand why. If I wrote a research paper on Bach, the Suites, or Casals, then no, I would not give this a great review. However, I thought it was a fun, fast read that is accessible for all people interested in classical music, no matter their musical skill level. The biographies of the two men were entertaining and made me appreciate the struggles, passion, and sacrifices they made to bring beautiful music into the world.

Side note: I applaud Siblin for trying to gain some proficiency in the guitar, cello, and voice so that he could better appreciate Bach as a producer and not just as a consumer, but his attempts were clumsy and embarrassing to read about. If you are really serious about learning an instrument, taking two lessons of each isn't going to cut it.

the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book. I needed to recharge my adult reading batteries, and this recommendation, from our violin teacher, was perfect. It's a wonderful exploration of Bach and the world he lived in, the origin of the Cello Suites, the world / time period in which Casals made it famous and lived through (Franco's Spain and Puerto Rico), and the author's journey of self-exploration through the cello. A fantastic read!

lrozzy's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyable, but not written by a musicologist or even trained musician. I was hoping for something more in depth but it was a nice light anecdotal read.

snowpaws94's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

5.0

cameliarose's review against another edition

4.0

Very readable and entertaining, I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Eric Siblin.

The book contains 36 chapters, smartly organised using the 6 parts of the 6 cello suites as titles. I like classical music, love the Cello Suites (Yo-yo Ma's version is my favourite), but I knew nothing about Bach himself or Pablo Casals until I read this book. Life in Baroque Germany was fascinating. Bach likely was far more passionate, unlike the usual formidable image one might conjure from his almost mathematical compositions. Pablo Casals's unusual, enduring and very successful life as a musician, Spanish history in the first 70 years of 20th century and Spain's stand in Word War II were all good reads to me.

I am rather omnivorous in terms of music taste, enjoying good music of different kinds. Glad to notice the writer also has flexible taste, albeit not a fan of U2. After reading chapter Suite 5 - Gigue, I searched Spotify for the many vastly different adaptions of Bach.

stephanrahan's review against another edition

5.0

beautiful book following the history of the cello suites. the life of bach and pablo casells the cellist who rediscoved them. its an amazing personal book. and you can feel the love of the subject that the auther has.
it will influence how I play the suites. when I get goodf enough to play them