J.S. Bach

J.S. Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suite, No I in G Major, S. 1007

Although Bach completed his six Unaccompanied Cello suites between 1717 and 1723, they were essentially unknown until the renowned cellist Pablo Casals began performing the regularly in public during the first decade of the twentieth century; he later made the first definitive recording of the suites.

For the most part, the cello was not recognized as a proper solo instrument during Bach's era, nor in the century that followed. Typically, it served an ancillary role, carrying the bass line in small chamber ensembles and orchestras. (Not until 1914, in fact, do another prominent composer write for unaccompanied cello.) In these suites, however, Bach created anomalous solo masterpieces for the cello that utilize the full melodic range of the instrument, often giving the impression of three-or-four-part harmony. Like those Bach composed for solo violin and keyboard, his suites for cello consist of several contrasting movements, derived from dances. (By Bach's time these were dances in name only, no longer intended to accompany choreographed movement.) During the ceremony, you will hear four movements from the composer's first and most beloved cello suite, in G Major: the Prelude (a free-flowing, rhapsodic introduction); Allemande (a moderately paced German dance in duple time, and somewhat contemplative); Sarabande (a stately dance in slow triple meter); and the Gigue (a spirited, rhythmic finale.)

-- Rachel Fine