Bach’s The Complete Cello Suites 

Suites á Violoncello Solo senza Basso, BWV 1007–1012 

Saturday, September 7, 2024

2:30 pm • Suites 2,3,4
7:30 pm • Suites 5,6,1

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church, Charlotte, NC
Guy Fishman, cello

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A universe of possibilities....

Johann Sebastian Bach's six solo cello suites, Suites á Violoncello Solo senza Basso, BWV 1007–1012 (Suites for cello solo without bass), ranks among his greatest musical achievements. Each suite follows a typical baroque structure: a prelude followed by baroque dances, totalling six movements each:

Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Galanteries: two minuets in each of Suite Nos. 1 and 2; two bourrées in each of Suite Nos. 3 and 4; two gavottes in each of Suite Nos. 5 and 6
Gigue

Bach likely composed the cello suites while he served as Kapellmeister in Köthen (1717–1723). The suites were little known and rarely performed in public until cellist Palbo Casals popularized them in the early 20th century. From the performer, they require the utmost in technique, interpretation, and expression. 

What might at first seem constrained by its simplicity—a solo stringed instrument following a common structure over six suites—instead delivers an astonishing diversity of textures and tones—and an immense variety of musical ideas contained within a singular work that progress in intensity and complexity. Experiencing the complete suites live is an epic and singular emotional journey that opens a universe of possibilities.

Guy Fishman, a Bach Akademie Charlotte Artistic Leader, is principal cellist of the Handel and Haydn Society and is in demand as an early music specialist throughout North America and Europe. He has performed with Tafelmusik, Les Violons du Roi, Seraphic Fire, Arcadia Players, Connecticut Early Music Festival, Querelle des Bouffons, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Boston Baroque, Apollo’s Fire, Emmanuel Music, the Boston Museum Trio, Boulder Bach Festival, and El Mundo, among others.

In addition to concert appearances, Guy has been presented in recital with Dawn Upshaw, Mark Peskanov, Eliot Fisk, Richard Eggar, Lara St. John, Gil Kalish, Kim Kashkashian, the Eybler Quartet, the Consone Quartet, and Natalie Merchant. His playing has been praised as “plangent” by The Boston Globe, “electrifying” by The New York Times, and “beautiful....noble” by the Boston Herald, and “dazzling” by the Portland Press Herald.

Performance Details

Bach: The Complete Cello Suites takes place at 2:30 pm (Suites 2,3,4) and at 7:30 pm (Suites 5,6,1) at:

Holy Comforter Episcopal Church
2701 Park Road
Charlotte, NC 28209

Doors open at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm.

Tickets are available online and at the door.

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