#bach trios

[an-album-cover-a-day]

Johann Sebastian Bach, Bach Trios

[nonesuchrecords]

It was 5 years ago today: cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile, and bassist Edgar Meyer's album Bach Trios was released on Nonesuch. You can hear it again here.

On the album, the three artists perform works by J.S. Bach originally written for keyboard instruments, plus a sonata for viola da gamba. The Times of London calls it "effervescent" and "irresistible."

[nonesuchrecords]

Chris Thile and Yo-Yo Ma—who made the 2017 Nonesuch album Bach Trios with Edgar Meyer—kicked off the Atlantic Festival in Washington, DC, this week with an eclectic medley of music from Bach's Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major, "Rabbit in the Log," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Thile hosts the public radio show Live From Here, including with Rachael & Vilray on October 26, and leads his own US tour throughout the fall and winter.

[tuunes-blog1]

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, & Edgar Meyer : “Bach Trios” Review

April 7, 2017 Nonesuch Records

Classical

Interpretations of several Bach works originally arranged for keyboard instruments, “Bach Trios” is a massive show of force of the continued power and importance of classical music. f there was such a thing as a classical supergroup in music, this would be it - Yo-Yo Ma (cello), Chris Thile (mandolin), and Edgar Meyer (upright bass). Between the three of them, they hold a whopping 31 Grammy wins (several of which are actually shared between them, such as the Goat Rodeo Sessions, Bass & Mandolin, and Songs of Joy and Peace). All three are widely considered the best in the world at their respective instruments, and so there were big expectations for this album. I often feel that, classical music, especially when played with perfect proficiency, can be slightly cold or isolating. This isn’t the case with “Bach trios” - it manages to show off the remarkable technical prowess of all three musicians without sounding clinical. It actually has a lot of warmth and character.

Even if you claim to not like classical, just listen to the whole album, start to finish. It’s hard to recommend any one song over the others. And don’t just stop with this album - check out the massive body of work that these three have produced.

Overall impressions: The only regret I have regarding this album is that I’m unable to see them perform it live. I’ve seen Yo-Yo Ma once solo, Edgar Meyer and Chris Thile on the Bass & Mandolin Tour, and Chris Thile solo or with his various projects more times than I can count, as well as meeting him briefly a few years ago. In addition to being the world’s greatest mandolin player, a talented lyricist and vocalist, and host of Prairie Home Companion, he’s also a genuinely nice guy. Chris Thile, Yo-Yo Ma, and Edgar Meyer are such impressive musicians and its times like these that I remind myself how lucky we all are to have access to the massive amount of incredible music being recorded each and every day. 

[nonesuchrecords]

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile & bassist Edgar Meyer's new album, Bach Trios, is now on vinyl! The Observer says the musicians are "in perfect harmony." The Times calls the album "irresistible." Don't resist. Get it here.

[nonesuchrecords]

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile, and bassist Edgar Meyer spoke with writer Michael Hill about Bach Trios, their new album of Bach works originally written for keyboard instruments, and how it came to be. Read what they had to say here.

[nonesuchrecords]

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, mandolinist Chris Thile & bassist Edgar Meyer's Bach Trios, a new album of works by Bach originally written for keyboard instruments, is out now on CD/digitally; vinyl April 21. The Times (UK) calls it "effervescent" and "irresistible." Hear for yourself. Get it and listen today here.

[nonesuchrecords]

Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer’s performance of Bach's Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645, from their new album, Bach Trios, out April 7. Get the track now when you pre-order the album on iTunes and the Nonesuch Store.