Bach: Six Suites for Solo Cello
"300 years have passed since Johann Sebastian Bach wrote these incredible Suites for solo cello. Thanks to great cellist Pablo Casals, who discovered the manuscript in the 20th century, we play and listen to this day. The Suites have been analyzed so many times that there is no need for me to do it again. I would, however, like to tell you about my story with Bach. I was very young when I first heard his music. I can still remember that the piece was played by organ and cello. But the biggest impression came to me during my teen years while attending concerts in The Organ Hall of my most beloved and beautiful city of Lviv, Ukraine. I felt like I needed to be there and I was there. Every day for almost three months. From then on, I knew that he will always be my favorite composer. His music is the highest achievement of human civilization. I hear the cosmos with no end. Filled with spiritual love, through his harmonies, the music opens windows to eternity. I was fortunate to become a cellist and so happy that Bach wrote for cello, too. Pablo Casals’ inspired my interpretations, and later - Glenn Gould. As so many cellists, I have been studying the suites for my whole life. My interpretations change and I will forever remain a student of the work.”
- Natalia Khoma
