Bach’s Cello Suites are some of the most beautiful, challenging, and complex works composed for the instrument. Bach’s ability to create counterpoint on a solo instrument is astounding. He really makes the cello sound like an orchestra rather than just one instrument. Composers the world over (myself included) have been inspired by him to compose solo suites for the cello. The variety of characters, moods, rhythmic interest and phrase structure heard in these suites keep the performer engaged and eager to perform these works over and over again.
From my earliest days as a cellist, I had always hoped to make a recording of the Bach Cello Suites. To date, there are no published recordings of these pieces by an Irish cellist, and I think that it is important to have a record of how an Irish cellist would perform these iconic works. This recording, for me, needed to have the raw, true sound of how I perform the Bach Cello Suites in concert. You can hear it here on a modern instrument (Postacchini cello) with a modern bow (Noel Burke) in the modern tuning that is standard in the Republic of Ireland (442).
In this recording, my aim was to have a very distinct musical character for each movement. It was important that each dance movement should feel different from the previous one to ensure that the vibrancy of Bach’s music was always alive. I enjoyed having an almost ‘Irish jiig’ feel (from Irish traditional music) in all of the Gigue movements. This project was a wonderful experience for me, as was working with the incredible Steinway label. I hope you enjoy listening to this recording.
– Ailbhe McDonagh
Extra material for download
