Bach Cello Suites – PS Audio Gold SACD

Octave Records is both proud and excited to release one of the world’s greatest works of music by one of the world’s most celebrated musicians. The Bach Cello Suites, recorded in both two-channel and 5-channel surround in a magnificent live hall in pure DSD is performed by Zuill Bailey, widely considered one of the premiere cellists in the world. He is a Grammy Award-winning, internationally renowned soloist, recitalist, Artistic Director, and teacher. This remarkable Octave Record’s release is the culmination of the artist’s long-held dream of sharing with the world his musical journey. Zuill Bailey first recorded the suites in 2008 on the Telarc label. Now, more than a decade later, this Octave Records performance reflects the artist’s mature yet daring approach, captured with remarkable realism as never before in stunning high-resolution stereo and surround sound. There has never been a recording or performance like this. An absolute treasure.

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.