Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: István Várdai
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Brilliant
Size: 2.27 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Disc 01
01-06. Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV1007
07-12. Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV1009
13-18. Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV1011
Disc 02
19-24. Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV1008
25-30. Cello Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV1010
31-36. Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV1012
In May 2014 the Hungarian cellist István Várdai performed three Bach Suites at an unusual venue in New York: not the storied glamour of Carnegie Hall or the hip 92st St Y, but the Board of Officers Room in the recently renovated Armory on Park Avenue, a room no less redolent of distinguished history: to which he made his own distinguished contribution according to the New York Times, with a recital which concluded with a ‘superb’ performance of the Sixth Suite.
Having just turned 30, Várdai has accumulated a string of impressive competition successes including first prize at the Geneva International competition and the prestigious ARD cello competition in Munich, as well as special prize at the Kronberg Academy’s annual competition. Now, therefore, is as good a time as any to put down his thoughts on every cellist’s Old Testament with his superb 1720 Montagnana instrument, which he also uses for the Sixth Suite, originally conceived by Bach for a five‐stringed instrument such as the viola da spalla or violoncello piccolo.
Bach’s iconic solo suites form the pinnacle of the entire cello repertoire, the ultimate challenge and a Mount Everest every young and aspiring cellist has to climb, no matter how often that has already been done. Young Hungarian cellis Istvan Vardai is winner of the Geneva Competition, 3rd prize Tchaikovsky Competition 2007 and first prize winner of the prestigious ARD competition in 2014. He embarked on a successful international career, having played with Mikhael Pletnev, Adam Fischer, Zoltan Kocsis, and chamber music partner of Gidon Kremer, Mischa Maisky, Elisabeth Leonskaja, Andras Schiff, Klara Wurtz and many others. He is a regular guest at international music festivals, notably Verbier. His previous recordings have been praised by critics: “superb… he marries a sumptuous and varied tonal palette to a flawless technical address…” (Gramophone)