Bach: Cello Suites

This was perhaps the first CD that I heard when I started building my collection. One and a half years later, I listen to Casals again, and I definitely appreciate his interpretation. Before I thought it sounded to harsh, now, I think it is dramatic. The difference in choice of words clearly demonstrates that I have (finally) added to my criteria the intention of the performer.
Casals attack are fierce, conveying a shocking impression which fills the space. The recordings (1936, 1938, 1939) are not flawless (acoustic and precision-wise) yet neither criteria is why you would buy this 2 CD set for.
Casals definitely opened a new way of interpreting Bach, and it is completely portrayed in the Cello Suiten.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
CD 1
Suite #1	G	BWV 1007
Suite #2	Dm	BWV 1008
Suite #3	C	BWV 1009
CD 2
Suite #4	Eb	BWV 1010
Suite #5	Cm	BWV 1011
Suite #6	D	BWV 1012

Beethoven: The Cello Sonatas

Pau Casals hums through the profound and rich Cello Sonatas in the 1993 recording with Rudolf Serkin. A super bit mapping CD from Sony Classical, The Cello Sonatas: complete edition. This 2CD cannot be missed !!
Amazing.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Disc 1
Sonata no.1	F	Op.5 no.1		recorded 1953
Sonata no.2	Gm	Op.5 no.2		recorded 1951
Sonata no.4	C	Op.102 no.1		recorded 1953
Disc 2
Sonata no.3	A	Op.69		recorded 1953
Sonata no.5	D	Op.102 no.2		recorded 1953
7 Variations on "Bei Männern, welche Liebe fühlen"		WoO 46		from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte", recorded 1951
12 Variations on "Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen"		WoO 66		from Mozart's "Die Zauberflöte", recorded 1951