Divine Art has announced the signing of the exceptionally talented Russian cellist Marina Tarasova for a recording of the Suites for Solo Cello by J.S. Bach.
Marina Tarasova is an acclaimed Russian cellist, the winner of international competitions in Prague, Florence, and Paris, she was awarded the laureate of the Tchaikovsky competition in Moscow, and is an Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. Marina Tarasova’s wide repertoire covers works of composers from the 17th century to the 20th. She has worked with many famous musicians, such as Mikhail Pletnev, Mariss Jansons, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Kurt Masur, Edward Grach and Yuri Bashmet among others. She has recorded much Russian repertoire for Northern Flowers, and has joined Divine Art to explore non-Russian repertoire more actively.
The cellist believes that Johann Sebastian Bach, universally hailed as one of the greatest composers of all time, is often interpreted in an overly academic and formal way. In fact, he was a passionate and creative man, and this is evident in his writings and in his actions. For example, his biographer Philipp Wolfrum wrote that Bach’s impetuous artistic nature probably pushed him to extremes: when Bach with divine obstinacy demanded to be released from his contract at Weimar, in order to take up a new post with Prince Leopold, it led to a harsh confrontation, as a result of which Bach was arrested at the behest of Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar (for what we might now call “breach of the peace”) and was obliged to spend four weeks in prison.
Marina Tarasova’s interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suites for Solo Cello, emphasizes the living dynamic reality of the composer’s work, not formalized studies but music full of vitality and spirit. Stephen Sutton, CEO of the Divine Art group, expressed his delight at securing this project. “We look forward very much to the completion of Marina’s new recording. She has an inspirational approach to Bach and can bring his music to life for new young generations of music lovers as well as those of us who (a little older) often had to suffer quite dull and academic readings which hid the real magic of Bach’s genius.”
The recording is taking place currently in Moscow with esteemed Tonmeister Alexander Volkov (who has produced previous albums for Divine Art) and will be scheduled for release in the spring of 2022, though the exact date has not been fixed.
J.S. Bach – The Suites for Cello Solo (DDA 21238)
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Marina Tarasova
Works
Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV1007
Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
Suite No. 4 in E flat major, BWV 1010
Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
2CD or double-digital album
