Bach is presumed to have written these six suites for solo cello for Christian Ferdinand Abel, a celebrated viol player and cellist employed by Prince Leopold.
Composer Biography
J.S. Bach spent seven happy years (1717-1723) in Cöthen as chapelmaster for Prince Leopold von Anhalt-Cöthen, a 23-year-old music enthusiast.
Performer Biography
István Várdai, the cellist on this recording, has won several prestigious international prizes, including the 63rd Geneva International Music Competition in 2008 and the ARD Cello Competition in Munich in 2014.
Compositional Technique
Bach's Cello Suites form a unique group within his works, creating genuine polyphony and harmony using only the instrument itself, without basso continuo accompaniment.
Cultural Impact
Bach's Cello Suites set an absolute standard for solo cello composition, influencing later composers like Reger, Hindemith, and Ligeti.
Composition History
Many of Bach's chamber music works, including these Cello Suites, were composed in Cöthen, where Prince Leopold von Anhalt-Cöthen spent a quarter of his court finances on music.
Composer's Artistic Vision
In these Cello Suites, Bach pushed the boundaries of performance by exploiting the cello's specific possibilities, achieving great effect with minimal means.
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