Six solos for cello by J.S. Bach (First programme) - Les Idées heureuses

Les Idées heureuses presents two works of capital importance - as characterized by Bach's first biographer Forkel: Six solos for the violin (c. 1722) and Six solos for the cello (c. 1720). 

These two major collections were composed while Bach was director of chamber music for Prince Anhalt-Coethen. Bach was particularly happy during this period of his life, and he wrote some of his greatest instrumental works during this time.

It is often forgotten that Bach received his early musical training from his father on stringed instruments. It was also as a violinist that he secured his first position in an orchestra in 1703. According to his son C.P.E.: “In his youth, and until a rather advanced age, he played the violin with purity and precision, and thus kept the orchestra in better order than he could have done from his harpsichord."  And again: "He understood perfectly the possibilities of all stringed instruments. His works for violin and cello alone bear witness to this.”

Both collections will be presented in integral within two different concerts played on the same day. 

Link for the 2nd concert

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