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Masterclass: Bach’s Cello Suite no.1 in G major arranged for viola

2023-10-11T09:00:00

A. tamestit (credit eric larrayadieu) 6

Finding the correct articulation and paying close attention to the score is key to performing Bach’s masterpiece, in this guide by Antoine Tamestit

Bach’s cello suites contain so many wonderful details that it’s impossible to play them the same each time you perform them. There are so many things to consider that it’s a challenge to decide which of them you want to emphasise. Before playing the suites, I strongly recommend carrying out some research of your own, so that you fully understand the decisions you need to make. It’s dangerous for players to function out of habit. Just because you’ve heard it played one way doesn’t mean that’s how it should sound. Of course it’s not always wrong to copy, but you need to understand the thinking behind the choices presented.

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