William Butt Warner Classics 2564 65422-7(2 CDs) ****

William Butt's performances of Bach's six suites for solo cello are at the opposite end of the spectrum to Barley's Britten. It's not just that the recordings are live (made at St John's, Smith Square, London, in 2009), or that the music is so different, although Britten did intentionally echo some Bach. It's that the music-making is of an essentially self-effacing kind. There's an almost monkish austerity and focus in the approach. The vibrato-shy tone is huskily gentle rather than rich or penetrating. The atmosphere is of private communication rather than public assertiveness or declamation. And you may want to check out the way Butt takes his time, as his decidedly muted and unhurried approach won't be to everyone's taste. url.ie/gu3r