LINCOLN CENTER

Alice Tully Hall
Solo Bach

Paul Jacobs - Organ

Anne-Marie McDermott - Piano
Ani Kavafian - Violin
Colin Carr - Cello
Jason Vieaux - Guitar
Tara Helen O'Connor - Flute


Bach - Partita in A minor for Flute, BWV 1013 (after 1723)

Bach - Suite No. 3 in A major for Cello, BMV 1009 (c. 1720)
Bach - Prelude and Fugue in D major for Organ, BMV 532
Bach - Suite in E minor for Guitar, BMV 996 (after 1712)
Bach - Sonata in G manor for Violin, BMV 1001 (1720)
Bach - English Suite in A minor for Keyboard, BMV 807 (before 1720)

"How can it be that in almost 300 years, no one has surpassed Johann Sebastian Bach as a composer of music for solo instruments?

While it is true that Bach was the greatest keyboard artist of his
day, his level of violin playing is unknown beyond his ability to lead orchestras from the concertmaster’s chair. It is additionally reported that Bach played brass instruments, the contrabass, cello, oboe, bassoon, horn, and most likely flute and recorder. While we expect his works for organ and cembalo to be of lofty heights, you will soon hear that Bach’s ability to compose for the violin, cello, lute, and flute was also truly beyond comparison.

What is equally astounding is how long Bach’s solo works remained in relative obscurity. Most of this music was not published until the mid-19th century. His suites for solo cello were regarded as instrumental exercises until the great Catalan cellist Pablo Casals discovered them in a music shop in Barcelona in 1889. It was not until 1901 that he performed one of them, and not until 1930 that he felt ready to record the cycle. Such was the reverence Casals had for Bach’s solo suites, and history has proven that profound respect justified beyond doubt.

Bach’s works for solo instruments serve as lasting confirmation of his incomparable skill and artistry. The works we perform today, and
the sets from which they are selected, hold little chance of ever being surpassed or equaled. CMS is immensely proud to present this first-of- its-kind performance by a cast of artists who bring profound dedication, long experience, and instrumental mastery to our stage.

The power of Bach is felt as deeply in his solo works as in his music for large ensemble. CMS presents a rare opportunity to hear six extraordinary artists performing works of astounding ingenuity, revealing Bach at the height of his compositional skill as he mines each instrument’s unique expressive potential."