JS Bach: Cello Suites

JS Bach’s Suites for solo cello offer continuing inspiration and challenges to cellists and listeners more than 300 years after they were written while Bach was employed at the court in Cöthen in the 1720s.

Bach writes for the single instrument in a way that often creates an implication or illusion of a more complex texture, of several voices, and that demands a particular relationship with the listener. Domenico Gabrielli’s Ricercari were among the first works written for the cello as a solo instrument in the 1680s in Bologna, when the development of the instrument and its stringing had allowed the instrument to become smaller and more suited to a solo role.

Andrew Skidmore enjoys a varied career performing on both period and modern instruments. He has been cellist of the Salomon String Quartet since 2010, before which he spent three years as cellist of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet. Andrew’s interest in historical performance spans from the 17th to 20th centuries. He is a member and regular guest principal of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and performs as a guest principal and in chamber music with many of the UK’s Early Music ensembles.