Prelude Cello Suite 1 (Becker) slurred version. Bach BWV 1007 G major. Georg Mertens Australia

Starting with 8 notes slurred, the most played version, but certainly not the original one. Created for our bow today towards the end of the 19th century by Hugo Becker (Peters and IMC editions). Although it is not original, it is smoother to play than the original bowing, which suits the Baroque bow.
Also the division of starting the bar in downbow and the second part in upbow is already suggested in Anna Magdalena Bach's bowings, which are a correction to the earlier and probably first original version.
So there we are, the not original bowing seems to contain a correction by the old Bach himself.

Technical hint: Many students have problems with the left hand, because they touch with their finger on the D string the A open string and stop the sound (lifting the left arm does not help, it can even flatten the fingers; only what the very first limb of the fingers does makes a difference).
There is a trick. Firstly we need not to take our fingers up and down, but the melody on the D string should not have gaps by lifting the fingers off for the alternating A (except for the open D string as a melody note).
Because this is difficult to do I place my fingers not on the string, but just beside the D string towards the G string on the fingerboard. This will still give us enough pressure for a clear sound.
More so it lifts the level of the D string minutely and enables a continuous vibration of A and D string, which fills the room like an organ. -

The 6 cello suites are today part of my program of the CELLO CONCERTS at Jenolan Caves, NSW Australia, the longest series of cello concerts in history with more than 150 cello concerts in over 13 years. In 1993 I did my first recording of the 6 cello suites.
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-with-G...
For program details visit: http://www.georgcello.com/cello.htm

The following movements of the Suites for cello solo have been recorded for Youtube on this channel:
Suite 1 G major & Suite 2 d minor Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Menuets , Sarabande & Gigue
Suite 3 C major & 4 Eb major, Prelude Allemande Courante Sarabande Bourree's & Gigue
Suite 5 c minor & 6 D major, Prelude Allemande Courante, Sarabande Gavotte's & Gigue

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 )

Category:

Music

Tags:

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

[cikbulanbintang]

How do you practice this piece? I had a little difficulties especially with the bowing.

[georgcello]

@cikbulanbintang , Hi, I recommend to my students: 1) do very smooth string transitions, like swimming, allowing two strings sounding at the same time. 2) Save at the beginning of each bow, but use the rest once you foresee the "left over" 3) watch the last quaver (8th) on the A string, that it's not too short. 4) practice without rush. For bow perfection just practice the first 4 bars over and over and enjoy each string. G.

[serfine1]

this looks like a moving painting...

[Utubepooperful]

Currently transposing this for bass guitar, this video helped me a great deal, thanks :D

[daj721]

This is truly amazing.

[cikbulanbintang]

@georgcello thank you for the tips given. I will try it during my practice. And thanks for the reply, I truly appreciate it. -Sarah, Malaysia.

[ForsakenM3]

Amazing.