Programme Plan

The programme started by introducing cello’s role in the string family. Cellist will then move on to the structure and parts of the cello. Audience can look into the cello closely and raise questions about the cello. The story of Bach’s unaccompanied cello suite will be shared – from history and dispute to its development in modern culture. The programme will be ended by listening to the entire Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. 

Objective

• To discover the story behind a familiar tune
• To understand the structure of string instrument
• To experience cello as a solo instrument

About the Composition

The six Cello Suites, BWV 1007–1012, are suites for unaccompanied cello by Johann Sebastian Bach. They are some of the most frequently performed solo compositions ever written for cello. Bach most likely composed them during the period 1717–1723. The suites were not widely known before the early 20th century. Cellist Pablo Casals discovered a version in a thrift shop when he was 13 and played them publicly during his career. He also agreed to make a recording when he turned 60 and he became the first to record all six suites. 

The prelude of the Suite No. 1 has been used in movies, animations and televisions. The music has been so popular that it has become the top results when google “the most famous cello song”.