Thursday, February 4, 2010 

Bach’s Cello Suites are one of the most recognizable pieces of music ever composed. The melodies are ubiquitous in movies, television, commercials — and they have been played at major world events: the fall of the Berlin Wall, 9/11 memorial services, Ted Kennedy’s memorial service most recently. But the Cello Suites were almost never heard.  For centuries after Bach died, the music was lost, discovered accidentally and then popularized by the Spanish cellist Pablo Casals. Eric Siblin tells the story in a book called The Cello Suites: J.S. Bach, Pablo Casals, and the Search for a Baroque Masterpiece. Finally, Bob looks ahead to this weekend’s Super Bowl with our regular sports analyst Dave Zirin and Keith Campbell, older brother of producer Chad Campbell, and life-long New Orleans resident. The Saints are appearing in football’s championship game for the first time, and Bob talks with Campbell about what a win might mean for the city.