Bach en Fontfroide: 6 Suites para violoncelo solo

Featuring

Lluís Claret
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Compositional Technique

The structure of the Suites follows Johann Jakob Froberger's established form of allemande, courante, sarabande, and gigue, preceded by a prelude and interspersed with 'galanteries' like menuets, bourrées, and gavottes.

Composer Biography

During his time as Kapellmeister for Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, Bach primarily composed instrumental music because the court did not require religious music.

Instruments

The Sixth Suite requires a five-string instrument, as indicated by its C-G-D-A-E tuning in the manuscripts, and was likely conceived for both standard and violoncello piccolo five-string instruments.

Performer Biography

Pablo Casals, a great Catalan cellist, was the first in modern times to perform the Bach Cello Suites as a complete cycle in public and to record them all.

Compositional Technique

The 6 Cello Suites adapt Bach's usual polyphonic language to the cello, creating an eclectic mix of Italian, German, French, and English musical styles.

Recording & Production

This recording of the Bach Cello Suites by Lluís Claret was made at the Fontfroide Abbey in Narbonne, France, across two sessions in September 2002 and May 2003.

Composition History

Many musicologists believe Bach composed the 6 Cello Suites around 1720 during his time in Cöthen, the same year as his Sonatas and Partitas for violin.