Thomas Demenga played Bach’s monumental Cello Suites for over 50 years. And he claimed his interpretations changed considerably for this, his second recording of them. For a start, he uses authentic gut strings, which give a fragile, earthy sound to his playing—evident from the stunningly shaped opening prelude of Suite no. 1. And the dance movements, such as no. 6’s stately sarabande, have a graceful forward momentum. The overarching impression, however, is of a musician at one with the simple beauty of these timeless masterpieces.