Comments on: Virtual Master Class Track – Bach Suite No. 3 Allemande – Candidate 5 http://doublebassblog.org/2007/04/virtual-master-class-track-bach-suite-no-3-allemande-candidate-5.html double bass news, stories, downloads, podcasts, and more! Mon, 02 Apr 2012 12:37:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Dr. Phillip W. Serna, Double Bass & Viola da Gamba http://doublebassblog.org/2007/04/virtual-master-class-track-bach-suite-no-3-allemande-candidate-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-1009 Dr. Phillip W. Serna, Double Bass & Viola da Gamba Fri, 07 Sep 2007 19:26:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=1021#comment-1009 The main item striking me, apart from the rubato, which is a bit extreme for Bach and oddly repetitive, is that some careful examination of the collected works of Bach (Bärenreiter Publishers) in many music libraries, you will often find the Anna Magdalena Bach manuscript of the suites. You will notice all sorts of different slurring possibilities due to the sometimes difficult to comprehend handwriting. Also, reading up in Grove dictionary of Music and Musicians about the development of the Baroque dance suite, will inform on how contemporaries composed and often performed these dance works.<br/><br/>Regarding interpretation, a good point of departure for study of any of the Bach cello suites, especially if it is your first time to work on these works is to listen to many recordings of these suites and especially NOT for double bass. I would recommend recordings by Period instrument performers such as Anner Bylsma (there is a fabulous set on a larger un-altered ‘Strad’ cello), to the tone-indulgent recordings of Rostapovich. Where one will give you a great sense of the Baroque dance suite (the Bylsma), and how Bach composes chordal and multiple-voice textures on a single-line instrument, the other would give you a completely different slant. You may check out the earliest recordings such as the Cassals as well as from many different cellists. Between modern and Baroque performers you will notice VASTLY DIFFERENT tone qualities from modern strings to gut strings. The more study you do, the more likely you are to inform your performance<br/><br/>Overall, a good performance, with generally good intonation throughout. Focus your attention on the rhythmic flow as well as the issue of Bach’s use of implied upper and lower voices. Good luck! The main item striking me, apart from the rubato, which is a bit extreme for Bach and oddly repetitive, is that some careful examination of the collected works of Bach (Bärenreiter Publishers) in many music libraries, you will often find the Anna Magdalena Bach manuscript of the suites. You will notice all sorts of different slurring possibilities due to the sometimes difficult to comprehend handwriting. Also, reading up in Grove dictionary of Music and Musicians about the development of the Baroque dance suite, will inform on how contemporaries composed and often performed these dance works.

Regarding interpretation, a good point of departure for study of any of the Bach cello suites, especially if it is your first time to work on these works is to listen to many recordings of these suites and especially NOT for double bass. I would recommend recordings by Period instrument performers such as Anner Bylsma (there is a fabulous set on a larger un-altered ‘Strad’ cello), to the tone-indulgent recordings of Rostapovich. Where one will give you a great sense of the Baroque dance suite (the Bylsma), and how Bach composes chordal and multiple-voice textures on a single-line instrument, the other would give you a completely different slant. You may check out the earliest recordings such as the Cassals as well as from many different cellists. Between modern and Baroque performers you will notice VASTLY DIFFERENT tone qualities from modern strings to gut strings. The more study you do, the more likely you are to inform your performance

Overall, a good performance, with generally good intonation throughout. Focus your attention on the rhythmic flow as well as the issue of Bach’s use of implied upper and lower voices. Good luck!

]]> By: Anonymous http://doublebassblog.org/2007/04/virtual-master-class-track-bach-suite-no-3-allemande-candidate-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-464 Anonymous Sun, 15 Apr 2007 05:24:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=1021#comment-464 I don't particularly like the seasick comment. Although, I do agree with the comments on how it should feel a little more dance like and have more of a pulse--essentially the same thing. Otherwise, I thought it was pretty great playing, good tone and musical interpretation. I don’t particularly like the seasick comment. Although, I do agree with the comments on how it should feel a little more dance like and have more of a pulse–essentially the same thing. Otherwise, I thought it was pretty great playing, good tone and musical interpretation.

]]> By: Anonymous http://doublebassblog.org/2007/04/virtual-master-class-track-bach-suite-no-3-allemande-candidate-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-462 Anonymous Fri, 13 Apr 2007 18:08:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=1021#comment-462 Good playing<br/><br/>The only really major thing is pulse. I can hear that you have a sense of musically how the piece is to be phrased but it sounds very weighty and awkward right now - it needs to lighten up and dance. Think of the longer phrase - it sounds bitty. <br/><br/>Good intonation and good facility. Just make it flow more simply. Good playing

The only really major thing is pulse. I can hear that you have a sense of musically how the piece is to be phrased but it sounds very weighty and awkward right now – it needs to lighten up and dance. Think of the longer phrase – it sounds bitty.

Good intonation and good facility. Just make it flow more simply.

]]> By: Anonymous http://doublebassblog.org/2007/04/virtual-master-class-track-bach-suite-no-3-allemande-candidate-5.html/comment-page-1#comment-461 Anonymous Fri, 13 Apr 2007 17:59:00 +0000 http://doublebassblog.org/?p=1021#comment-461 I feel a little seasick. <br/>It's a good start, but shouldn't it feel more dance-like?<br/>Also, the 16ths are not as clear as you could play them. I feel a little seasick.
It’s a good start, but shouldn’t it feel more dance-like?
Also, the 16ths are not as clear as you could play them.

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