Bach Cello Suites one to three

Australian cellist Pei-Jee Ng joined the Royal Scottish National Orchestra as Principal Cello in 2023 and also teaches at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. From 2015 to 2022 he was Co-Principal Cello of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He won the 2008 Young Classical Artists Trust auditions in London and was the 2001 Symphony Australia Young Performer of the Year.

Bach likely wrote his six cello suites, some of the most outstanding cello repertoire ever, between 1717-23 in Köthen. He modelled them on a common baroque structure, beginning with a prelude then composing fashionable dance movements of the era. However, he transforms them into both individual masterpieces and integral units in the grand design of each suite. They faded into history until Pablo Casals recorded them in 1939, illuminating their world class stature in the repertoire.