Bach Cello Suites

The Bach cello suites are structured in six movements. Each begins with a prelude followed by a similar progression of movements based on Baroque dance forms such as the allemande, courante, sarabande, two minuets, bourrées, or gavottes, and a final gigue. As Bach left no musical annotations in the score, the magic of the cello suites lies in the interpretive skill of the performer, making each performance a unique treasure. Zuill Bailey’s first recording of the complete suites was released on the Telarc label in 2008. This second recording on the Octave Record label reflects his ever-evolving interpretation more than a decade later. In this remarkable performance and recording, Bailey offers a compelling new interpretation of Bach’s masterworks informed by decades of immersion in the suites, and the personal and emotional impact the artist felt from the pandemic. “When I was a kid, the Bach Cello Suites were not played in public – they were so difficult that people were afraid of them,” said Bailey. “Yet in my 20s and 30s they became my guide and have remained so.” As Bailey approached age 50 he started feeling burned out – and then the pandemic hit. “Like so many others, I found myself in a strange place, alone and vulnerable. I had been on the road for 315 days a year, and now was cut off from performing.” Bailey didn’t touch his cello for weeks. “On the other hand, in isolation, I rediscovered what ‘home’ was.” When he resumed playing, he once again turned to the Bach Cello Suites. “I began playing Bach very differently – simpler. I found it purifying.” He stated, “the less I tried to ‘interpret’ the music, the better it sounded. It was more symbolic of the solitary feeling I was going through.” Thus, when Zuill Bailey reached out to us at Octave Records, he wanted nothing but the world's finest recording equipment and a label that would fund and give the artist all the tools necessary for his dream to come true. This work is the result of a remarkable team effort by people who cherish and honor the music. We at Octave Records are honored to have helped make this happen. We hope you share with us the joy in this creation.

Credits

Produced and Edited for Octave Records by Thomas C. Moore, Five/Four Productions, Ltd. Recorded, Mixed and Mastered for Octave Records by Robert Friedrich, Five/ Four Productions, Ltd. Technical onsite support and DAW Systems Operations by Gus Skinas, Octave Records. Executive Producer, Jessica Carson, Octave Records. Recorded, Mixed and Mastered using Five/Four REVEAL SDM DSD Technology. Recorded at Ikeda Theater, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa Arizona, January 23-27, 2021 Microphones: AEA R88, Royer SF-24 and Sennheiser MKH800 Microphone Preamplifiers: Integer RMP-1 and Fred Forsell Technologies SMP-2b Recording system powered through PS Audio Direct Stream Power Plant 15 Analog Mix Console: Custom modified Studer 962 Interconnecting Cables: Brown Electronics Labs BEL “The Wire” Type P1; Music Interface Technologies Proline with Balanced Terminators; Mogami Neglex. Digital Recording System: Merging Technologies Pyramix DAW with Merging Technologies Hapi A/D and D/A converters Monitored Through: EMM Labs Switchman Monitor Speakers: ATC SCM 50 and SCM 25 Digital Editor: Pyramix Special thanks to Randy Vogel, Robby Elliott and Troy Buckey, Mesa Arts Center.

DOWNLOAD BOOKLET

• One pressing Austrian gold pressed dual-layer SACD
• Pure DSD + PROMastered CD layers
• DVD data disc containing DSD64 stereo, DSD64 multi-channel layer, DSDDirect Mastered 192kHz 24 bit, 96kHz 24 bit, 44.1kHz 16 bit PCM
• Pure DSD recorded Five/Four REVEAL SDM DSD Technology
• Full 5-channel surround mix included on SACD disc
• DSD64, DSDDirect Mastered 192kHz 24 bit, 96kHz 24 bit, 44.1kHz 24 bit PCM download
• No compression in the mastering or recording process
• CD layer of SACD playable on any CD player
• Mastering verified through the PS Audio DirectStream DAC
• All tracks verified on the Infinity IRSV in PS Audio's Music Room Two