Baroque Music
Timo-Veikko Valve
CONTEMPLATION
Bach cello suite No.4
“His tone was so stunningly beautiful that a single note emitting from his instrument communicated more than others can express in a lifetime.”
Repertoire :
JS Bach: Suite for unaccompanied cello in E flat major, BWV1010
Prelude
Allemande
Courante
Sarabande
Bourrée 1 & 2
Gigue
Sunday April 4th
LOCATION:
The Sound Shell
Time:
2.30 – 3.00pm
DURATION:
30 minutes
Bach’s six Suites for unaccompanied cello are arguably the most sublime compositions ever written for this instrument. As cellist-musicologist Zoltan Szabo remarks: “The boldness of this project…is remarkable. By composing for a single string instrument, Bach entered practically uncharted waters.” The composer gave no tempo markings, inviting the performer to find its pulse, thus making each performance unique.
Timo-Veikko Valve is principal cellist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He performs internationally as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral leader on both modern and period instruments. For this festival moment, he plays a cello made in 1616 in the Cremonese workshop of the brothers Amati, known for their innovation. The instrument* is over 400 years old, therefore older than the pieces he plays here. Of the instrument, Timo-Veikko says “In a way, it found me. I was stunned by its beauty, power and capabilities”.
“The Bach Cello Suites are an immensely inspiring collection of music,” says Valve, “they are like a vast ocean of possibilities and information that we explore and experience over and over again. They are a never ending story. All six suites have their unique character and meaning. For me the fourth suite represents community and togetherness. It radiates positivity.”
Valve will perform alone on our Sound Shell stage accompanied only by this magnificent cello, inviting the audience into a moment of deep, sublime contemplation.
* The Amati cello is on loan from ACO’s extraordinary Instrument Fund.