Album

With everyone and their uncle (and aunt and third cousin twice removed...) churning out recordings of the Bach cello suites, choosing a good set becomes a sea of names and labels. It seems as if everyone tries to do something new and different to set their recording apart from the pack. Listeners are subjected to questionable ornamentation, bizarre tempo fluctuations, ridiculously echoic recording venues, and any of a number of other variations. So why should listeners choose the recording of Martin Ostertag, a relative unknown to American listeners, over any other? Because Ostertag does something not heard very much anymore: he just plays the notes. No crazy changes, no weird editing tricks, no gimmicks. Ostertag gives listeners Bach's music in its purest form. The sound quality throughout is exceptional; Ostertag's cello is remarkably rich and punchy in its lower register, while sweet and projecting up high. This sound, coupled with his sparkling technique, precise intonation, and unsullied interpretation, yields a recording that any listener would do well to add to his/her collection. Coviello Classics' SACD sound is warm and inviting, without unnecessary reverb, and the high fidelity of the recording allows listeners to hear every nuance of Ostertag's playing.

© Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

CD 1 of 2
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.1 in G, BWV1007 Work 15:33 Martin Ostertag Cello
1	1.Prelude	2:00			$0.99
2	2.Allemande	3:52			$0.99
3	3.Courante	2:20			$0.99
4	4.Sarabande	2:45			$0.99
5	5.Menuet 1 and 2	2:52			$0.99
6	6.Gigue	1:44			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.2 in D-, BWV1008 Work 18:18 Martin Ostertag Cello
7	1.Prelude	2:54			$0.99
8	2.Allemande	3:24			$0.99
9	3.Courante	1:50			$0.99
10	4.Sarabande	4:31			$0.99
11	5.Menuet 1 and 2	3:01			$0.99
12	6.Gigue	2:38			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.3 in C, BWV1009 Work 20:23 Martin Ostertag Cello
13	1.Prelude	3:13			$0.99
14	2.Allemande	3:30			$0.99
15	3.Courante	2:40			$0.99
16	4.Sarabande	4:13			$0.99
17	5.Bourée 1 and 2	3:36			$0.99
18	6.Gigue	3:11			$0.99
CD 2 of 2
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.4 in Eb, BWV1010 Work 22:12 Martin Ostertag Cello
1	1.Prelude	3:29			$0.99
2	2.Allemande	3:50			$0.99
3	3.Courante	3:07			$0.99
4	4.Sarabande	3:54			$0.99
5	5.Bourée 1 and 2	5:03			$0.99
6	6.Gigue	2:49			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.5 in C-, BWV1011 Work 23:15 Martin Ostertag Cello
7	1.Prelude	5:23			$0.99
8	2.Allemande	5:45			$0.99
9	3.Courante	2:00			$0.99
10	4.Sarabande	3:14			$0.99
11	5.Gavotte 1 and 2	4:36			$0.99
12	6.Gigue	2:17			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cello Suite No.6 in D, BWV1012 Work 29:37 Martin Ostertag Cello
13	1.Prelude	4:34			$0.99
14	2.Allemande	7:44			$1.49
15	3.Courante	3:32			$0.99
16	4.Sarabande	5:03			$0.99
17	5.Gavotte 1 and 2	4:34			$0.99
18	6.Gigue	4:10			$0.99