Pablo Casals plays BACH - Suite no 1 for Cello - part 1

rare and filmed in 1954 in the Abbaye Saint-Michel-de-Cuxa - i hope i can make some cello lovers happy with this "document"

[@marycatmor]

In an interview (Archive of American Television) George Carlin related a story about Pablo Casals (regarding an artist's persona) that goes like this: Casals (then 93) was asked why he continued to practice the cello three hours a day, to which he (Casals) replied; "I am beginning to notice some improvement." Oh my!!!!

[@PushkaryovVsevolod]

Почему вы утруждаете себя игрой на виолончели про 3 часа в день в таком почтенном возрасте? Вы ведь высочайший маэстро? на что Казалис ответил, - " я заметил что начинаю играть немного лучше ".

[@carlosclementetomas4412]

Mary Catherine Moran Pau, Pau

[@billace90]

Such a genius!!! In the early part of the Casals Festival held annually here in San Juan at the University of Puerto Rico Theater, we (as students) were able to go watch the rehearsals. An unforgettable experience.

[@bmwski0507]

Casals was essentially the first person to really perform these sets of suites. He dedicated about 8 or 9 years of studying the peices and rehersing them before he played them in public. He wanted to bring a fresh and glorious interpretation to these "unknown" pieces at that time.

[@PhillyMarkowitz]

this performance never fails to elicit tears of joy.

[@Borg74]

The Master Pablo "Pau" Casals is one of my favorites composers and performers of all time. In the island of Puerto Rico, he is held as an icon of perseverance and brilliance. His festival is celebrated anually on the island since 1957.

[@luislaracuente]

[@ticap13]

I was thrilled to find this video and listne to it. Casals died while I was still young and I didn't get much of a chance to hear him play. I am his Goddaughter and have wonderful memories of Pablo, Martita and their Great Dane dogs in their home in Puerto Rico. Thank you KZbin for this wonderful video :)

[@MPlinka]

Perfect interpretation. Goethe said of Bach’s music: “It was as if the eternal harmony was conversing within itself as it may have done in the bosom of God before creation.” I feel the same way when Casals plays Bach.

[@AlfaAxel]

Before Casals nobody thought much about the Cellosuites by Bach, "Exercises" they said. Casals made it clear that there is a world of music in the suites :)

[@dtberquist]

Thank you! When I was about 5 or 6 years old (50 years ago!) I heard Pablo Casal's recording of "The Swan" by Camielle Saint Saens and fell in love with the 'cello. I have happily been a cellist for nearly 46 years.

[@jemery367]

In six hundred years you will never, I repeat, NEVER be as good as Pable Casals.

[@strav12]

This guy is like a kick ass Jimi Hendrix let loose on a cello! - awesome - never realized the amazing energy and attack in his playing and why the fuss over him - I get it now!!! - thxs for the post!

[@nonomsdisponibles]

I don't know if cello lovers will be happy, nevertheles me, as a Catalan person, I feel very happy and proud. Thank you very much.

[@hezixiao]

His playing touches mt heart. Great cello master!

[@bensmrt9]

It's rare in life for a string bass player to genuinely respect a cellist, but man. Pablo Casals is genius. too bad he couldn't live for eternity. Best representation of Bach's masterpiece I've ever heard.

[@michaharan]

the respect of the text and the simplicity of this giant of a cellist is striking, what a refreshing music video and what a fantastic school of string playing.

[@433240]

I was sitting the little cafe on campus, and it took everything in me not to start crying. I love listening to this when someone who has something to SAY plays it.

[@luisorellanayahoo]

Thanks for this masterpiece. My god I´m 52 years old and I´m crying without apparently reason after hearing and watching the "Maestro". ¡Bravo! this gentleman is ¡Eternnal!. I will call him Pau from now on. Respect to him.

[@skmaixela]

je découvrais le violoncelle , l'abbaye de Saint Michel, le village de Prades , la cargolade, et cette musique qui me donnait envie de devenir , je ne sais plus quoi , sublime . Merci à mon mentor R.., cette suite de Bach symbolise pour moi le violoncelle , cette magnifique conversation avec le plus beau de l'humanité. Merci à Pablo , et merci à Bach

[@cheshiremouse]

I love the 'cello. I tried desperately for a few years in school to play it and I was so bad they moved me to the bass and then out the door. I listen to this man play and just cry because it is so beautiful and it is just a gift.

[@juskisiberiano]

And the film as a whole deserves a particular mention, all the production is just sheer excellent. It captures the spirit of Casals' personality as a man and as a musician. Thank you, very much, again.

[@JohnSampson]

To-day's modern recording equipment has a definite impact on what we hear. If Casals were recorded with to-day's technology we would be even more astounded, because every little nuance would have been so much more noticeable.

[@caseyclausen2627]

@@scriabin2079 Interesting. One of my favorite piano recordings is Richter's Pictures at an Exhibition in Sofia where there are several blunders in relatively simple passages, but by the Great Gate of Kiev, none of that matters. When buying a new piece, I do try and seek out new recordings if for no other reason than to support the continuing recording of new artists. I wonder if that Richter recording would be released today if it had been played by Stephen Hough or another one of our talented artists.

[@djwizzpixel]

Not an expert on the instrument or the delivery, but have been reminded once again of the power of music to move and excite the emotions. What a miracle that for the blink of an eye there was a man named JS Bach who weaved magic with nothing but his mind's ear and a soaring imagination. I could die happy

[@SlyFox616]

For me, listening to Casals perform these three movements for the first time is like watching television in high-definition for the first time.

[@JamesMcGonigle]

Most definitely. The amazing thing is that it is Casals who turned people's perceptions of the Bach Suites from etudes to solo pieces. He picked up the suites early in the 1900s, worked on them for decades, and then performed them as they had never been performed before- a great artist, performing the works of a great composer!

[@AlexDV97]

He is stunning, i look up to him so much. Stop arguing on this page and enjoy the wonderful music. Music brings peace so respect that.

[@gordonrcooper1]

the man who discovered and studied the cello suites for years showing how they should be played . a true masterclass

[@rolphwartieda2707]

I've heard of him in my youth, but couldn't put together WHY so much admiration; now I know; and I'm immensely happy! (heureux)

[@visiondriver]

Touching! Thanks to Casals for bringing back these cello masterpieces. He pwns them imo

[@ytertyu]

55 years ago Heaven felt like this , and today still feels the same way

[@TheJohnny2992]

What a beatiful piece of music. I know nothing of this man, but from first impressions he is truely gifted. Bravo!

[@AdamCzarnowski]

This exists at a level of understanding of the music of Bach beyond most cellists, even the greatest, perhaps in a class of its own. I am reminded of Kleist's observation "when perception has passed through something infinite, gracefulness appears." It is as if he is imagining the music freed from even the cello, and played with absolute fidelity and lack of restraint, but with a simple dignity and sense of its awesome drama, but no melodrama or striving for effect. Fabulous.

[@davidw7250]

I wish I had listened to this way earlier in my life

[@Nizlopi01]

It's so rare to get rational, thoughtful comments on KZbin - even rarer when it comes to politics. So it's especially wonderful to see it when it does happen. So thanks for that. But anyway...let's just forget about Catalan nationalism (for 9 minutes) and enjoy the Bach, I say!

[@rfpnc]

How wonderful to be able to see Pablo Casals perform.

[@Chrisiant]

You have made something possible for me that could never have otherwise happened. To hear and see him play. Thank you.

[@AndrewGorny]

I think Bach is grateful to have his music played by Casals. They would have been great friends

[@walterstrahm4409]

Wenn Pablo sein Cello gestimmt hat, dann war das schon ein Konzert! Glücklich wer diesen Jahrtausend-Künstler einmal life erleben durfte.

[@Ceous123]

All I have to say is thank u for for sharing this with the world.

[@juskisiberiano]

In my opinion, this rendering is still in the prime of Casals aptitude as interpreter. Thank you very much for this post.

[@Maurinovsky]

That's the most beautiful melody I've ever had the pleasure to hear!!!!!! It invokes so many feelings in me.....

[@ANTOONMAKA]

Que dire de plus, les mots détruiraient la musique et le lieu! Un grand plaisir...

[@lee2710]

My favourite Cello player is Mischa Maisky, but I can see where he might have gotten his inspiration from. thank you for posting this! It is great to hear and see!

[@joanneim9558]

Terrific! I would faint if I were there. Magnificent! My utmost respect to the greatest cellist and humanitarian!

[@josetrejo8220]

Who cares what his name is pronounced, the only things that count are his talent and the fact that this wonderful man belongs to the world .

[@emicoco]

Thank you for sharing. I love Pablo Casal's. When I was young I used go to small hall named Casal's Hall in Ochanomizu お茶の水 駿河台 in Japan to listen to Cello etc.

[@ccsitaround]

one of the greatest--thank you

[@MsOlenka5555]

This is music to my ears. I think this type of music is much better than some of the musci here today.

[@emacasta]

Absolutlly great! He was born in Vendrell(Spain)and died in San Juan(Puerto Rico).

[@和男田村-z8q]

レジェンドの素晴らしい演奏をアップして頂き、誠にありがとうございます❗😔

[@malafab]

Excellent !! Left Pablo's hand flows strongly and soft and rules the emotion !! Iam sure that if Bach could listen his Masterpiece being playied by the genius Pablo Casals he probably became very happy and proud !!!

[@bongosock]

Wow. Thanks very much for posting. What a privilege to see and hear...!

[@aniloza58]

El libro de Eric Shiblin sobre las 6 suites de Bach y la vida de Casals relata este concierto que, ahora, cuando lo veo, siento con la emoción de cuanto nos ha sido legado. Y el privilegio del que disfrutamos al acceder con esta maravilla de la música y el espíritu libre de un genio como Casals. Inmensas gratitudes.

[@madaboutvoice]

We are so lucky to be able to see such a great artist and wonderful human being perform, and from so long ago!!! I am grateful. Thank you!

[@orgulloela]

Los tres Pablos de las Artes: Pablo Casals, Pablo Neruda, Pablo Picasso. Que honor poder admirar sus obras. el mejor legado para sensibilizar a la humanidad y sus simples mortales. ¡Bravo Maestro, por tan bella interpretación!

[@jerkymoto]

Bravo Maestro Pablo. Merci pour votre "post". Vraiment beau! Art, Amour. Le rest, c'est du raggot!

[@anniestrong3096]

Wow ! such an amazing performance, the best of them all. Puts in the shade all other famous cellists who have recorded the suite. X Thank you.

[@keimica]

You've made someone who loves Sandor Vegh's Vegh Quartet very happy with this "document." I also have Pablo Casals record of Bach Cello Suite 5 and 6, and a few other records of him. The best.

[@thethikboy]

The solo suites speak eloquently of human passion and divine inspiration.

[@RelativeRudy]

That's beautiful, what a melody

[@terryclitheroe]

Abpsolutely gorgeous. Thank you

[@bobdames1951]

A beautiful piece played as only Pablo Cassals could. Thank you for posting this.

[@SlyFox616]

The expression Casals puts into every phrase makes most of the other interpretations (even Rostropovich's) of this piece seem dull and lifeless. Truly phenomenal.

[@pierinski]

They will live forever, Bach & Pablo Casals !!

[@MrRazorblade999]

Stunning! Best piece of music ever recorded.

[@nico22059]

along with jacqueline du pré and matislav rostropovich, one of the best cellists ever

[@appassionato430]

this is amazing. Pablo Casals is said to be the greatest cellist of the era, with rostropovich next

[@AmagrasMUSIC]

Beautiful composition and playing

[@Maribelinda63]

I am a cello lover, and you sureley made me happy, inspired, amazed by the beauty & talent of this superior human being. Thank you very VERY MUCH!

[@blackberetpuppets]

I love this. Nice photography too.

[@54spiritedwill54]

yo-yo ma idolizes Pablo Casals. He said so in his interview. Pablo was one of the greatest cellist in his time.

[@blackberetpuppets]

I love this. Nice photography too.

[@stratlover56]

You certainly made this cello lover happy. Thanks!

[@Isospinsymmetries]

Extraordinaire et excellente. Merci beaucoup.

[@Jaggehs]

Oh, he so is. And if you watch him, it seems almost effortless. I can only imagine how much ime and energy he had to put into getting that good.

[@Ismblues]

Thanks!!! The Courante is so beautiful...

[@wackedout787]

My heart is kinda burning with beauty.

[@weaintfoundsht]

I don't know if many people know it, but Pablo Casals was actually the one who discovered these particular Bach Suites. Before him, they were considered only etudes for bowing.

[@bbbbmer]

I remember Casals playing this Bach for Golda Meir once, after which he wept in her hands... He was a saint walking amongst us.... I shall never forget him....

[@gorkythe45]

Ma is one of the bigest cello players speaking marvelous words about Casals.

[@SuperJapanesefreak]

Damn Pablo Casals is just fantastic.

[@dagobertonaranjo6365]

Amazing. No words.

[@catholicexodus]

Wow, Casals on video! I never imagined. I have him doing the Cello Suites on CD...a gem if ever there was one. Thank you.

[@pete5668]

I would have loved to be alive back then to hear him live

[@marijax1]

You made my day and night with this wonderful video... LOVE IT!!! Thank you for sharing!

[@agentdesktop]

Simply great! Thanks for posting it

[@demetrix3775able]

awesome performance. The Jimi Hendrix of the cello.yeahhhh**

[@blewsyboy]

born in late december 1876, this would most likely have made him 77 at this time! he lived to be 96, and we are all the better for it!

[@benimadhavmohanty7426]

the God of cello, after having heard all the great ones playing bach, got a 78rpm disk of Casals, couldn't imagine he was playing a cello, it was singing...

[@takawaka1000]

Bach suite No.1 is a song that is eternal

[@Cauchy77]

Such a wonderful composition ! Bach was a genuis!

[@PandaKiller10000]

Thank you so much i love this video and watches it almost every day again thank you so much. Nikolai P.

[@beento]

Absolutely magnificient!!!! I am so glad you made this post! He will continue to mesmerize!!!

[@coconutgal]

such a impressive song...i luv this..

[@Icianvers]

Thank you, I am grieving and this is just what I was looking for.

[@kjgoya777]

Playing in the Abbey is inspired....the acoustics are superb!

[@newbjman]

ALthough I cannot understand the language, but the music moves me. Great music clip, for a great celloist who discovered Bach

[@Nachtmarchen]

@dermotafan I agree. Maisky arbitrarily and tasteless draws out certain notes, obscuring the beautiful evenness and symmetry of this divine music.

[@petithenri-michel2453]

magnifique inoubliable, ça fait du bien d'entendre et de voir, pas assez de mots.......

[@foodandfeathers]

Intensely musical! I have shivers!

[@AAACUSIEAAA]

thanks very much for beautiful music!

[@jameshollyelsa]

You have made me here in Australia very happy indeed !

[@wernerstroobants6582]

Thank you so much ... it's nice to know that it brings happiness to others!