Winona Zelenka is one of Canada’s finest cellists, known for her gorgeous, luminous tone and expressive brilliance. On this new two-CD set she performs one of the most popular works in the repertoire, J S Bach’s six unaccompanied Cello Suites.

In some ways, the journey that Winona Zelenka has taken as a soloist has been typical of a cellist of her generation: from the ultra-romanticism of Casals, to the modernist logic of Starker, to a European school that has been more open to historical performance practice. Active as a soloist, as well as performing in chamber groups and symphony orchestras, she electrifies her audiences with her impeccable musicality, superb technique and elegant style.

The cello used in this recording was made in 1707 by Joseph Guarnerius of Cremona, Italy, son of Andrea and father of Joseph “Del Gesu”. The Cremonese instruments of this period are considered the summit of achievement and this Guarneri is an excellent example. It is known for its rich, magnificent tone.