Young Cellist in Top 10 with Bach Cello Suites CD
Zuill Bailey - Photo by Lisa Mazzucco
RECORD REVIEW
It’s hard to believe that a relatively unknown younger cellist could zoom to #3 on the respected Nielson Soundscan/Billboard list of classical genre CDs, but there it is, his latest release on the Telarc label, a two-disc CD “Zuill Bailey Bach Cello Suites”. Zuill (pronounced “zool”) Bailey comes out of nowhere—ok, not out of nowhere, out of El Paso, Texas, where he serves as Artistic Director of the city’s El Paso Pro Musica, to present a refreshing newness to the Johann Sebastian Bach Cello Suites.
Bailey, who has a stunning resume consisting of appearances with world famous orchestras and cellists and musicians he hascollaborated with, has been proclaimed by the cognoscenti as one of the pre-eminent cellists of his generation. His bio lists appearances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, symphonies of Chicago, San Francisco, Minnesota, Dallas, Louisville, Milwaukee, Nashville, Toronto and Utah. He has worked with the Julliard String Quartet, Lynn Harrell and Janos Starker. His parents were both musicians of established reputations. He is without a doubt, a thoroughbred—and this album is a testament to that.
The two discs contain Bach Cello Suites No. 1 through 6, each in six short movements, a total of 36 tracks. Bach who composed these suites in 1720, divided each suite into dance movements in keeping with the Baroque period standard practice, which keeps things lively. This young cellist is light on the touch and that moves the music right along.
Let me give a bit of advice, though. In spite of musicologists stating otherwise, I become impatient with the solo instrument. I prefer to listen to one suite at a time broken up with some other kind of music. I mention this so that you will not turn away from this excellent CD thinking it might be overwhelming. Frankly, it is overwhelming, but it is the fabulous artistry of Bailey performing on the 1693 Matteo Gofriller Cello that makes this CD special.
The CD can be purchased directly from the artist. For an autographed copy visit www.zuillbailey.com. There, the album is available for $20 plus $2 shipping.
By Bill Peters
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