More about the Bach Cello Suite Arrangements…
From Anthony Arnone:
The 6 Bach Suites for Solo Cello have been a staple of every cellist’s diet ever since Pablo Casals rescued them from relative obscurity and help showed the world what wonderful works of art they are. Over the years, many cellists have published editions of the Suites in order to best convey their style of interpretation.
Why yet another edition? And why a second cello part? I certainly do not hope to improve on Bach. The suites are complete works of art without any additions at all. But, I have found over the course of teaching Bach, that I often love to show students the harmonic motion of a movement by playing a bass line along with the regular solo part. In a piece of music with only one line, it is often difficult to know what harmony is implied underneath. And, as I have found with this project, there are often different possibilities that can be explored.
Above all, this edition is meant for enjoyment. I have already had the pleasure of performing some of these movements with other cellists and my students also have enjoyed it when I play along with them at lessons as they seem to feel less “exposed” and are forced to listen and play at the same time. So, to all the cellists (and other bass clef instrumentalists!) have fun with these and I hope that they might inspire you to hear these wonderful solo pieces in a new light.
From Philippe Chao:
Having witnessed a remarkable and instant transformation of a university student’s approach to a Bach Suite after being accompanied by Anthony Arnone’s second cello part for the first time, I knew I needed to arrange them for viola. In this performance, the melodic lines now intuitively related to the underlying harmonies without comment, and the structure of the phrases became effortlessly clarified. What a remarkable tool for both viola teachers and performers alike to have Bach’s implied harmonies spelled out.
I hope you and your students enjoy exploring these arrangements as much as I have.