The Cello Suites

J. S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece

By: Eric Siblin

Narrated by: David de Vries

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

One fateful evening, journalist Eric Siblin attended a recital of Johann Sebastian Bach's Cello Suites and began an epic quest that would unravel three centuries of intrigue, politics, and passion. Winner of the Mavis Gallant Prize for Nonfiction and the McAuslan First Book Prize, The Cello Suites weaves together three dramatic narratives: the disappearance of Bach's manuscript in the 18th century; Pablo Casals's discovery and popularization of the music in Spain in the late-19th century; and Siblin's infatuation with the suites in the present day. The search led Siblin to Barcelona, where Casals, just 13 and in possession of his first cello, roamed the backstreets with his father in search of sheet music and found Bach's lost suites tucked in a dark corner of a store. Casals played them every day for 12 years before finally performing them in public.

Siblin pursues the mysteries that continue to haunt this music more than 250 years after its composer's death: Why did Bach compose the suites for the cello, then considered a lowly instrument? What happened to the original manuscript? A seamless blend of biography and music history, The Cello Suites is a true-life journey of discovery, fueled by the power of these musical masterpieces.

©2009 Eric Siblin (P)2019 Tantor

Bach Stories with Brilliance

I have been a Bach fan starting in High School when I discovered his Inventions in our piano bench. Such amazing beauty. The more Bach music I encountered, the more amazed I was. In college, it was Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Beatles. I even co-constructed a synthesizer and then my wife and I programmed in some Bach to be played automagically, at which time I discovered that the Brilliance of Back seems to shine through most any crazy interpretation.

So, I could not put this book down. Getting to know Bach better was such a joy. The author's own Bach journey was quite entertaining. Tears filled my eyes at the end of the book.

The only thing that I did ot rate as 5 was the reader, as he reminded me of some truly annoying narrations on YouTube. Still, after a while, I got used to his voice, and all was well, especially nice as I can barely see after a bad cataract operation. (Thanks Audible for being extant.)

Insights into the people and the music

As a beginner cellist I found this book enlightening and full of great facts. It opens your mind and ears to the music and the people involved. I am definitely better off for having listened to this book.

Beautifully researched, writ and organized!

This is an incredible accomplishment! Myriad, factual accounts of J.S. Bach the man and an engaging delve into the cello suites, via a fascinating history of one of history's great cellists, Pablo Casals.

The bach cello suites ..,

Bach, the cello suites, Casals, a man’s passion to find out more - what could be bad? It was wonderfully done,

A masterpiece of musical story telling

Eric Siblin has crafted a beautiful trilogy of stories (Bach, Casals and his own discovery) in a unified whole which is beautifully structured and narrated (by the author), very educational (especially for the amature musician and historian) and a joy to listen to. I highly recommend this for all ages with an interest in history and music. It may not please the snobs and academics, but for the rest of us, it makes the topics accessible and fun. Great job!