This research on the difference between Yo-yo Ma's and Rostropovich's interpretations of the Bach Cello Suite is wonderful! And I have the permission to share it with you: From: Sharifa A. Charles Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 10:56 PM To: William S Jamison Subject: Monday's question Who played Bach's Suite 1 (Prelude) correctly; Rostropovich or Yo-Yo Ma? When first asked the question, I thought Yo-Yo Ma played it correctly; no doubt about it. However, as a musician myself who has played the Prelude, I can't say one played it more correctly than the other with a good conscience without proper facts. Before researching, I believed technique wise, Rostropovich was spot on; playing it quickly and taking few if any liberties. Yo-Yo Ma took many liberties and put feeling into the song that Rostropovich did not. Looking at my Bach suites for Violas book, the prelude is to be played at 69; with Molto Moderato(Lively and moderate) and it should take the player 2.5 minutes to complete. Rostropovich's playing time is 1.59 minutes and though he plays it faster, does not make it lively. Yo-Yo Ma on the other hand, takes 2.46 minutes in one version and 3.12 minutes on another and indeed plays it lively (if we are going by the Merriam-Webster number 8 definition , "full of life, movement, or incident"). Yo-Yo Ma achieves "liveliness" by playing the dynamics that are written, where they are written. Rostropovich, on the other hand, moved the dynamics from the piece around (Rostropovich's version could be "lively" but because of his movement of the dynamics, the piece sounds dull and expressionless). When played at the same time and looking at the sheet music, you can clearly hear the difference between the two cellists. With the facts gathered, I still believe Yo-Yo Ma played the Bach Suite 1 Prelude correctly.