Ron Chaplin wrote:

>AFAIK, Bach left few directions as to how his music is to be played.  Is
>there a general consensus, for example, as to how the cello suites are to
>be played? Would another cellist, with the stature of Rostropovich, play
>them very differently? He plays them very vigorously, almost attacking
>them.  Would someone else play them more softly?

Bach's Cello Suites are the only pieces of which I have collected numerous
versions.  I believe I have seven different recordings presently, and I am
not sure if I really have a favorite.  At the simplest level (which is all
that I can comment on) the most striking differences among them are the
tempi and the level of romanticism.  I am sure Baroque purists despise
more modern, romantic interpretations, but I love the Tortelier set which
is quite romantic.  As far as tempi go, Schiff runs through some of the
dances at incredibly fast tempi, unlike any other version that I have heard.

Todd Townsend