Bach Cello Suite No.1 Prelude G Major BWV 1007. Georg Mertens Australia

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Physical CD: http://www.georgcello.com/music.htm

The following movements of the Suites for cello solo have been recorded for Youtube on this channel:
Suite 1 G major, Prelude & Courante
Suite 3 C major, Prelude Allemande Courante, Sarabande Bourrees & Gigue
Suite 5 c minor, Prelude Allemande Courante, Sarabande Gavottes & Gigue

At the age of 11 this was the first piece I transcribed, from my fathers viola edition! For my birthday I had been given a LP of a cello suite with Enrico Mainardi and was very excited about the suites. For my next birthday I received Mainardi's edition of the Cello Suites. Incidentally I received 10 years later a scholarship to a masterclass with Enrico Mainardi, at Nideggen/Eifel in Germany in1973.

TO THE INTERPRETATION:
I rely in this performance relying on the 4 surviving manuscripts of the time as published by Baerenreiter, and the ideas of Werner Icking, who modified his bowings considering Bach's original bowings in the violin sonatas and partitas [the original J.S.Bach manuscript of the cello suites has not been found yet].

In Anna Magdalena's manuscript the slurs are in bar 1 only note 3&4. This interesting bowing puts the second half of the bar in upbow, giving the repeat of the phrase less weight, a general Baroque practice. In bar 2 and 3 again are only 2 notes slurred, but this time note 2&3, a bit awkward, but creating naturally a softer dynamic. Only from bar 4 on she slurs the first 3 notes - creating naturally the final forte. All other sources, including the earlier one by Kellner shows consistently 3 slurred from bar 1 - 4 .
It is likely that J.S. was not fully happy with the interpretation he was hearing and instructed Anna Magdalena to modify the bowings to bring out the harmony flow of the first 4 bars more musical. It is helpful to play through all manuscripts as written. They show hidden meanings.

It is worth to mention, that the Prelude should always convey a sense of freedom, and should not be played in a metronomicly strict way.

To the VIBRATO: The composer / music theorist Geminiani wrote in 1752: 'vibrato ....when it is made on short notes, it only contributes to make their sound more agreeable and for this reason it should be made use of as often as possible'. This is very interesting since the popular Baroque fashion of today avoids vibrato. I think this fashion has been created by "new Roamantics". In the Romantic period vibrato was hardly used in Germany, Austria and England. The famous violinist Joachim, to whom Brahms dedicated his violin concerto, hardly used vibrato. Only Kreisler introduced it in the 1920s.

If you are a string player you will find this article interesting: "An analysis of bow technique" dedicated to all students in the world who wish to improve their sound. (click here on: http://www.georgcello.com/bow.htm )

Prelude G major is also part of the program of my CELLO CONCERTS at Jenolan Caves, NSW Australia, the longest series of cello concerts in history with more than 140 cello concerts in over 13 years.
Cello Concerts are held regularly every 3d Sat of the month 4pm. Bookings (AU) 02 6359 3911 (or ticketmaster: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Jenolan-Caves-Concerts-Cello-Favourites-ticket...
For program details visit: http://www.georgcello.com/cello.htm
Just in this clip I play even a mistake on p2, due to a little boy running up the isle and me losing focus. The same little boy caused me to start twice: I waited until he sat down, attempted to start, but he got up again; seeing me starting he decide then to sit and I really started.

(Note: the B instead of Bb in bar/measure 26 is correct. The first printed edition in 1824 got this note wrong and despite that all pre 1800 manuscripts write clearly B, the Bb is played by mistake by most performers. You can see the manuscripts on my webpage http://www.georgcello.com/sheetmusic.htm and click on the "see the manuscripts" button)

More videos from the CD "Cello Favourites" on the same channel:
Breval - Sonata C major Allegro
Handel - Aria
Dalla Bella - Giga
J.S. Bach - Suite No I - G major, Courante
J.S. Bach - Arioso
Popper - Happy (Fond) Recollections
G. Marie - La Cinquantaine
Tschaikovsky - Valse Sentimental
B. Romberg - Sonata e minor, Allegro non troppo

This video has been recorded and edited by "bushtrailer" http://au.youtube.com/user/bushtrailer

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Prelude
• Allemande
• Courante
• Sarabande
• Menuet
• Gigue
• G-major
• solo
• cello
• Bach
• BWV
• 1007
• unaccompanied
• Suite
• Sonata
• Partita
• Baroque
• Vivaldi
• Handel
• Villa
• Lobos
• Breval
• Marie
• Casals
• YoYo
• Ma
• Maisky
• Rostropovich
• Favorites
• G-Dur
• violoncello
• Arioso

[georgcello]

Hi all, Many of you will be used to the bowing starting with 8 slurred. I just uploaded the Prelude in G with this bowing (as "video response"). Certainly not original, it certainly sounds smoother. Tell me what you think - keep enjoying cello music. regards, Georg

[Christherpiper]

I would just like to clarify, you said that the B in measure 23 is correct? My apologies as this is probably something you've been asked many times as its a point of contention between me and my teacher.

Thanks Chris.

[georgcello]

@Christherpiper, Yes (it is actually bar 26), there was a mistake in the first printed edition c 1824, who printed a Bb. ALL manuscripts of the 18th century wrote B. Cellists got used to play Bb published in the common editions of Dotzauer, Becker and even the former Baerenreiter/Wenzinger; they either didn't question it or liked it more. You can see the print of manuscripts on my sheetmusic website and click on the "see the manuscripts" button (I just added a link in the youtube text above) G.

[PatTheStalker]

Quick Question, you said you played on a Baroque cello, but it doesn't look like you're playing with a Baroque bow, why is that?

[georgcello]

@PatTheStalker. You are right, I play a modern bow. I play an old cello not because I am a Baroque fanatic, but because I like the instrument. What is today in general portrayed as "Baroque" I find certainly wrong. Bach had reputedly a remarkable feeling for rhythm and structure - but just these two elements are missing in "modern Baroque" imitations. I rather think, the modern imitations are born at a time, when Romantic just got out of fashion - so they turned Baroque romantic!

[lilZoned]

I have been studying this piece for the last 4 months I can play the song ok but you make each phrase sound more beautiful then the last. I feel that i need to work on my fingering, every time i play this song my hand is in so much pain during and after. Do you have any tips on the pain in my hand?

[georgcello]

Hi @lilZoned, It is virtually impossible to give tips without witnessing you playing. Best take at least one lesson from a professional orchestra player, who has to play several hours a day. You surely do something wrong. Cello playing should not hurt anywhere.

In general, if the right hand hurts, you probably push the thumb to hard. In the left hand you may push all fingers too hard, watch that the wrist is always straight. But best, play for some one.

[007Theeddie]

There's this thing with classical music...sometimes it is played far from what the original piece was. I hate that. I'm always searching for the original version for every one of the songs I like, in this search is that I found your videos, u do try to play the original right?

Thanks for posting this kind of stuff.

[MMAenthusiastUHHE]

My ears just orgasmed

[GIFPES]

@007Theeddie Only Bach himself could stand for the so called original version. That is the beauty of classicals, no one knows the original sound, yet, everyone can play, better or worse than others.

[sgfmify]

this song is fantastic... we return to our classical culture

[SnakeJones11]

I love this song and think you are amazing i hope to play the cello like that one day and hope to be a pro in no time!

[khangphan00]

I remember one TV commerical that has that song in it. 

[wafflelover52]

how does this have ANY dislikes!?!?

[CreamDry]

Well, its another interpretation but, it was fine.

[peteacher52]

Great to hear a different take on a well-known piece of music. All interpretations are valid because Bach forgot to leave us metronome settings! lol

[ciciramz]

I wish there was a button that would automatically replay this song instead of always having to click the replay button which I find, I am doing a lot lately. Very beautiful. :)

[xiiimerow]

I have always been fascinated with the cello. I never got the chance to learn because I was always moving. That is why I take such joy in listening to pieces such as this. So thank you for providing such wonderful music that I can enjoy.