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Prom 52: Bach Day - Cello Suites
- Date Sunday 24 August 2008
- Time 10.00pm - 11.15pm
- Venue Royal Albert Hall
Chinese cellist Jian Wang takes the stage of the Royal Albert Hall for the first three of Bach's six solo suites, works of towering technical accomplishment as well as intellectual and spiritual nourishment.
Jiang Wang comments that 'Bach's music has a lot of qualities that appeal to the Chinese philosophy of life: to be humble, to wish but not desire, to love but not own. This is all in Chinese philosophy, and because I grew up with those values, these things are dear to me. When I listen to Bach's music, it confirms all of that.'
- J.S. Bach Suite No.1 in G major for solo cello (19 mins)
- Suite No.2 in D minor for solo cello (23 mins)
- Suite No.3 in C major for solo cello (24 mins)
There will be no interval
Jian Wang cello
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Gary Walker
This performance capped a wonderful day of JS Bach concerts. Jian Wang played the first three cello suites - some of the most soulful music in existence - every bit as well as one hoped. One could only wish there was time for the final three suites. Another Bach Day in future years would be welcome - to include the contemplative pieces such as the whole set of suites for solo cello, the Goldberg Variations, The Well-Tempered Clavier and the Art of Fugue.
Roger Mitchell
The music was fine, but the continuity announcer had clearly studied at the Jane Jones 'Smirk in the voice' academy which, regrettably, seems to be the school of choice for new female staff. She also has vocal quirks not unlike Naomi Rowe who can be heard on Sunday mornings on Radio Cornwall. Both should be force-fed Donald Macleod and Natalie Wheen. Keep the FM flag flying!
Charles Aitken
Jian Wang lived and breathed these Bach 'cello suites and played them as if they were his own. His playing spoke with an infinite palette of sounds - one moment he was forthright, another whispering, another dancing. Fluid and organic - one never felt that he was playing a phrase in isolation or in order to produce an effect - there was a constant sense of the music unfolding. Such accomplished playing and yet so understated - what could one do but listen and be moved and inspired?