Bach J. S. 6 Suites for Violoncello Solo

Transcriptions of 6 cello suites for viola always arouse huge interest. There is a lack of polyphonic music of 17th–19th century composers in this instrument repertoire. In some measure these editions fill up this gap.

Thus, for last 50–60 years appeared Bach’s cello suites in various editions and transcriptions for viola. Here should be mentioned the editions by F. Spindler, Br. Giuranna, S. Roland-Jones and Ju. Kramarov.

Present work by M. Kuperman is undeniable timely and important.

Treating the style and character of Bach’s music with due care, author offers interesting fingering and bowing solutions, which not only emphasizes and highlights multi-voice palette, polyphonic phrase and dance character of the pieces, but, that is very important, educes acoustic and tone quality peculiarity of the viola.

The music of J. S. Bach has been transposed in another octave and assumes an absolute new color.

A few instrumental “disadvantages” of viola transcription in some movements are conditioned by the difference of violoncello and viola playing technique. It concerns in a sense chords, mordent’s execution, springing over the strings with the bow and position changes. Optimal fingering and bowing, suggested by author, produce proper solution for these instrumental problems.

Present transcription of J. S. Bach cello suites became very natural a substantive viola version and is worthy of performing life.

6 cello suites of J. S. Bach transcribed for viola by M. Kuperman represent an excellent material for a pedagogic and performing practice of violists.

Contents:

Suite № 1. BWV 1007
Suite № 2. BWV 1008
Suite № 3. BWV 1009
Suite № 4. BWV 1010
Suite № 5. BWV 1011 (Scordatura)
Suite № 5. BWV 1011
Suite № 6. BWV 1012