- This is "My Big Bach Blog" because I will be exploring, one at a time and in order, each of the thirty-six movements of the 6 Suites for Solo Violoncello by Johann Sebastian Bach. The world doesn't need this…but I do. I'm a professional cellist who has played the Suites many, many times, but I expect to experience this iconic music in a new way by going through it systematically and with a fresh perspective. I get a lot of pleasure and inspiration from house concerts -- informal performances in intimate settings for interested -- and interesting! -- people, so that's the spirit in which I'm going to approach each installment. I welcome questions and comments!
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Ready…Set…Go!
Classical Up Close 2014 starts tomorrow, Friday, April 18. Strains of Ravel will waft through the stacks at Powell’s on Burnside at 1:00 The principal strings of the Oregon Symphony — Sarah, Chien, Joël and Nancy — will be in the 3rd floor Basil-Halwood … Continue reading
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Tagged chamber music, free event, Oregon Symphony, Powell's Books, Ravel, string quartet
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I’m working on it.
I’m not quite back on track to post performances of each Bach Suite movement, but I got a new iPad audio app and recorded a some run-throughs of a piece I’m working on for, drum roll, please…a house concert! It’s … Continue reading
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An appeal
I am writing today to ask you to support something I am passionate about: the Oregon Symphony. You may have read the Oregonian article this week about financial concessions the musicians have given the Symphony to help balance the budget. This was … Continue reading
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Classical Up Close will be playing at West Linn Lutheran
We’ll be playing at West Linn Lutheran.
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Another blog, different
In honor of DigiWriMo, I am doing a Tumblr blog at http://cellonancy.tumblr.com/ It’s self-explanatory!
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Support for arts organizations is crucial for arts education, which is itself crucial for all education!
It is pretty obvious that I have had a hard time getting this blog rolling. I haven’t ironed out all the logistical details for making video, and now that I’ve injured my hand, I can’t play for a while longer, … Continue reading
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Hey, at least it’s on four strings!
We interrupt our previously scheduled posting to bring this snapshot from the zeitgeist: The Bach Prelude No. 1 in G Major on the Mandolin, as performed on NPR. (Click on the blue NPR to see/hear the whole interview.) It is not lost … Continue reading
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Do Re Mi
Let’s start at the very beginning… How far back do you want to go? Staying on topic, how about the genesis of J.S. Bach’s musical métier. I think most people with either a music education or long-time interest in classical … Continue reading
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Archetypal. Protean. Daunting.
Given that my plan is to practice each movement of the Suites with a fresh mind and heart and share the result here, this project can’t be said to have actually begun without some actual cello playing, but I find … Continue reading
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Tagged first prelude, keyboard prelude, prelude bach, prelude in c bwv 846
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Before I begin
I just returned from a ten-day trip without a cello. It’s good to do that once a year or so, physically and mentally healthy, but I have to admit that I didn’t particularly feel like I needed it. Coming off … Continue reading
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