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Comment by thaumaturgy | Hacker News Reader

Yes; it's Bach's Cello Suite #1. You've probably also heard it in Master and Commander, where it was performed by Yo-yo Ma. It's one of my favorite pieces of string music.

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The piece is the prelude of Bach's first cello suite. The thirty-five other movements in the Bach cello suites are equally beautiful, but it is mainly this movement that is played.

While my cello playing was originally inspired by Ma's interpretation of the cello suites, I now find his rendition of them a bit insipid. I suggest checking out Pablo Casals' interpretation - he popularized the Bach suites, and the recordings are beautiful. Rostropovich also played them fairly well.

If I had to pick a Bach cello suite movement for such a video, it would be the Sarabande from the 6th suite:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3dgACCAzwM

Edit: I changed my mind, I would go with the Sarabande from the 1st suite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvOo0cS8w10

I was lucky enough to hear Rostropovich play the 5th cello suite live once. I would rank his performance a lot better than "fairly well", but tastes vary. Another favorite performance of mine for those suites is Anner Bylsma[1]. He uses a more historically accurate instrument than most modern versions. I don't necessarily think that makes other versions bad, but it does make his (or one like it) worth trying.

[1]: http://www.amazon.com/Bach-Suites-Cello-BWV-1007-1012/dp/B00...

I also prefer the Casals recordings, although I have yet to meet anyone who is not a cello player that had the same opinion.

I absolutely love that this thread has gone from "nyah Apple's a patent troll" to discussing Rostropovich and Bach cello suites.

Well played HNers.

Pierre Fournier does a super smooth rendering of all the suites... he's like a French machine, technically perfect & soulful interpretation. especially the 6th preludium is a joy to hear as he climbs up the stairway.

yeah, Casals is the man. don't like rostropovich rendition IMHO.

currently playing those Suites on a Carbon Fiber Luis & Clark instrument - luisandclark.com

Bach's cello suites were what originally inspired me to start studying music. And the first recording of them I ever heard was Yo-Yo Ma's original recording (he has at least one newer recording now).

Didn't Yo-Yo Ma perform a private concert at Steve Jobs' house? I think it was in the biography.

Huh, dunno. I haven't gotten around to reading the biography yet. I wouldn't be surprised; they seemed to have a mutual respect for each-other.

Just found out that he performed at the memorial service though.

"When Jobs was ill, Yo Yo Ma came to visit, bringing his 1733 Stradivarius cello and performing a concert in the Jobs’ living room. Jobs, who had been moved to tears by the music, told him, “Your playing is the best argument I’ve ever heard for the existence of God, because I don’t really believe a human alone can do this.” He made Ma promise to play at his funeral".

Thank you for sharing that.

> “Your playing is the best argument I’ve ever heard for the existence of God, because I don’t really believe a human alone can do this.”

Which is kind of an insult to Yo Yo Ma.

I would not think so. My impression is many artists (musicians too) feel inspired by a higher spirit, so to speak. Personally, I am not a believer, but I understand how it can feel when one is.

As a musician, I would view that as the ultimate compliment.

I wasn't saying it wouldn't be received as a complement, after all, it's just as likely that it was offered in all sincerity. I'm just saying that the literal implication could be construed as an insult.

Reworded: "I'm so blown away by what I'm experiencing that it's hard for me to believe it's even humanly possible, what you're doing."

I can't imagine anyone taking this as an insult. If that person exists, I hope I never end up in the unfortunate situation of paying them an incredible compliment.

Reworded: "I'm so blown away by what I'm experiencing that I think there's a very real possibility that you don't deserve full credit for this achievement."

If you're ever in the position to give someone a hyper-superlative complement, you could simply use one of the many hundreds of constructions that don't involve doubting the skill of the recipient.

Addendum to your rewording "... BECAUSE I'M SO MOVED THAT BEFORE TODAY I'D HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN A FUCKING DEITY TO DO WHAT YOU JUST DID."

Edit:

Further, I don't believe in God but I also don't believe I've ever felt I deserved "full credit" for an achievement in the way you're describing.

Calm down mate, I'm merely disagreeing with you. I do understand your point, and I do think that your interpretation makes for a reasonable hypothesis, but it's my opinion that it's less plausible given the exact wording originally provided.

That's not at all what he was implying.

Steve was a huge fan apparently. Did a quick search to confirm, found this excerpt from his bio: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj4b8oaV0MI

I don't remember the biography mentioning a private concert at his house (wouldn't surprise me) but Jobs did personally ask Yo Yo Ma to play at his funeral.

Great music to study to btw!

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