Would you believe, I actually found the original 3 LPs from 1957 in mint condition at a church fair for 25 cents? After a little searching I was able to find the cds of the recording on amazon and was delighted to buy them (knowing nothing about Cassado or the suites before finding the records). To my delight they were a superb bargain at only $10.98. Much cheaper that Ma or Casals recordings of the same Bach suites that run about 30 dollars.This is a finely recorded and played, remastered high-definition 20 bit sound recording originally recorded from analog tapes from that VoxFox 1957 recording played by the composer and virtuoso cellist, Gaspar Cassado. It sounds like it was recorded yesterday.How does Cassado's recording rate against the likes of Ma and Casals's? Well, I've heard bits of all three playing these Bach cello Suites, and I am pretty much sure that Ma probably has technical mastery that slightly beats out Casals and Cassado (who are both excellent in their own rights). However, as we all know, interpretation is by far the more important virtue when choosing between professionals musicians where playing flawlessly is a perequisite. The experienced Cassado (60 when he made this recording) handily beats out the "spunky" Ma (at least in the playing of these Bach suites) in the expression department. The difference between Cassado and Casals is less pronounced (Casals is also a very impassioned cellist), and so personal preferences are the only thing that separate the two. I prefer Cassado; but then I am not a very experienced reviewer of solo cello music.These cds were great. And the five stars I gave them, means that if you like Bach as well as cello music, this is a must have. If you don't know anything about either, I can at least recommend it as being great background music for a romantic dinner. :)