Brian Smith

Unaccompanied Suite no.3 in C major BWV 1009


Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Courante
Sarabande

Composed during his appointment as Kapellmeister to the duke of Cöthen from 1717 to 1723, the cello suites are one of the most popular works ever composed for solo cello. While no autographed copy by Bach himself is in existence, the cello suites remained through a hand-written copy by Anna Magdalena Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach’s wife. After his death in 1750, Bach’s work fell into obscurity for about a century, until its popularity was revived by composers such as Mendelssohn, Schumann, and others. The revival of the cello suites, however, did not really take place until the early 20th century, when cello virtuoso Pablo Casals put out a recording of them.
The Courante and Sarabande from Bach’s third cello suite have been enjoyable pieces to play. Courantes are traditionally fast paced triple metre dances. The rises and falls of Bach’s courante allow for highly contrasting dynamics. The swiftness of the Courante is very different than the mood that his Sarabande gives off. Traditionally a slower dance in triple metre, the Sarabande is interesting in that emphasis is not consistently on a certain beat; instead it changes from measure to measure. Being a very slow and melodic piece, with very specific harmonies, I have found the Sarabande to be an especially difficult, yet rewarding, piece to learn.

Brian Smith