#116
09.19.10
A few nights ago I had the supreme pleasure of attending a performance of the complete Cello Suites by Bach as interpreted and performed by the magnificent Zuill Bailey at the Grant Auditorium on Alaska Pacific University's campus. The night was indescribably wonderful; I felt as close to being on heroin as my imagination permits me to conceptualize. Of course that sounds dramatic, but I'm telling you - there were times I didn't feel human, or physical, if that makes sense. "Floating in the ether", as it were. And to spend that evening with T & Q made it all-the-better. I'm hoping one day C.Q.E. II will remember the event fondly, as it remains one of my highest priorities to expose him to music.
I own 4 recordings of the Suites, beginning with the Yo Yo Ma recording. I also have a classic Pablo Casals recording, and in 2010 have added both the Jean-Guihen Queyras and Zuill Bailey recordings. Each is stunning, each is distinct and worth owning. There are many other options out there for me to eventually purchase and explore as I become more comfortable with the versions I currently enjoy.
I must admit that when I first purchased the Zuill recording I was a wee bit turned off by the occasional pickup of heavy breathing. We've been playing the music for about 6 days straight here through our home system, and I don't really pick it up at all... but when I really want to enjoy a piece of music, I put on the Sennheiser cans and let 'er rip. That's when I hear the breathing, and I wished that it had been edited from the final master.
I said, I wished.
Because now, having seen The Man play the complete Suites live on his fabulous 1693 original Matteo Goffriller violincello, my eyes are opened to the herculean physical act it surely is. As elegant as Zuill is, and as charming and personable he surely is during the fascinating chats between pieces... he would noticeably transform in to an absolute beast when required to harness that instrument and ride the lightning. Especially in the 4th and 6th Suites.
To my knowledge very few musicians ever attempt to perform the entire Suites live, and now I understand why. To be absolutely honest, even if I could play cello I know I do not possess the physical stamina and mental focus to ever, ever dream of pulling off the feat that I've just witnessed in person. And now when I hear the breathing, at times near-grunting... I just smile and shake my head in absolute amazement and respect. Zuill Bailey is surely a rockstar of classical proportions.
One final note: though an announcement was never made to the effect at the performance, it is likely improper that I took some stills with my iPhone camera. I hope it causes no offense, and would immediately take down these photos if asked to do so. I offer them in all their low-resolution glory only to pay homage to the evening and the composer and the musician. And I offer no apologies for their low-resolution, as I think it lends a sense of the ethereal to them. I just love the aura surrounding Zuill in these photographs, and am not so sure it is artifact.
Music
So for a little gratuitous flashbacking on this blog, I think it's worth mentioning that in my first entry on 01.01.10 I suggested Miles Davis and John Coltrane's Bye Bye Blackbird (the version off 'Round About Midnight) as a musical accompaniment to the photos. At that point I had no intention of streaming music with my blog, because I didn't know it was an option. After my 2nd blog on 01.02.10 my amazing sister-in-law B.L.W.E., who happens to be an amazing photographer, taught me how I could add music if I wanted. And the rest is history - the blog has pretty much become more about the music than the photography, mostly because I'm not a great photographer, but do enjoy writing and listening to a good tune.
So the next day, in entry #03 on 01.03.10, for my first entry to ever feature music, I payed tribute to Nick Drake's lovely Northern Skies. Then, in entry #05 on 01.05.10, only my third entry to feature music, I showcased the sublime voice of José González on Crosses. {Now at this point you're likely feeling numb and wondering where this is headed, and I'm getting there just now.} On entry #34 on 02.03.10 I featured what I consider a great track by The Books called Owls With Knees, and I promised to feature another Books song down the line featuring the singing of José González. (By the way, you can listen to these tracks in the blue player called "iPhone Photoblog Soundtrack" on the right hand column of the blog, if you so desire.)
And now, thank you kindly for your patience... let's get To The Point:
I've waited for a long time to play this track that hopefully you're enjoying right now;
Cello Song -
The Books, featuring José González
(Cover of the Nick Drake Classic)
CCE
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