An award-winning book about Bach's Cello Suites and the background of their composition and fame, this book i a delight in many respects. As it combines history and biography it provides a narrative that makes these well-known compositions come alive. The journey includes not only Bach, but Pablo Casals and the cello. It is a journey worth your investment of time as the resulting enjoyment will be exceptional. ( )

An extraordinary book which brings JS Bach and Pau Casals to life.
Both definitive and quirky at the same time.
A breathless journey.
Highly recommended. ( )

A fascinating look at the Bach cello suites from 3 vantage points: Bach's life, cellist Pablo Casal's life, and the author's life. Provides a contemporary view of Bach's cello suites which I found positively delightful!

This book is partly a biography of Bach and Pablo Cassals, and partly a musical history. I really enjoyed the biographical aspects. The author was able to portray Bach and Cassals with depth and as more than brilliant musicians. I also enjoyed the story of the author's own discovery of the cello suites and his attempts to better understand them by taking cello lessons and joining a Bach choir.

Like others, I found the structure (which mirrors the cello suites) a bit forced at times -- it necessitated some repetition and was, at times, disjointed.

All in all, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would as I'm not a classical music fan. ( )

A little boring. ( )