Bach: The Cello Suites

by Edward Klorman

Originally dismissed as curiosities, J. S. Bach's Cello Suites are now understood as the pinnacle of composition for unaccompanied cello. This handbook examines how and why Bach composed these highly innovative works. It explains the characteristics of each of the dance types used in the suites and reveals the compositional methods that achieve cohesion within each suite. The author discusses the four manuscript copies of Bach's lost original and the valuable evidence they contain on how the Suites might be performed. He explores how, after around 1860, the Cello Suites gradually entered the concert hall, where they initially received a mixed critical and audience reception. The Catalan cellist Pablo Casals extensively popularized them through his concerts and recordings, setting the paradigm for several generations to follow. The Cello Suites now have a global resonance, influencing music from Benjamin Britten's Cello Suites to J-pop, and media from K-drama to Ingmar Bergman's films.

188 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2025

Reviews

[Joseph Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book on the Cello Suites is written for performers and music lovers alike. The historical background is concise and fascinating. Klorman provides insight into the current state of research on the various manuscripts of the suites that have survived. A survey of performances from the 18th century until today sheds light on the myth that the suites were not performed until Casals “re-discovered” them in the 20th century. Even cellists who have studied the suites for many years are sure to learn something new.

[Tony Gualtieri · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent history of the background and transmission of these suites. The types of dances that characterize the movements are described as well as the evolution of the cello as an instrument of virtuosity. Subsequent chapters deal with performance history pre- and post-Casals. I was surprised to learn that the suites were well-known in the 19th century. The legend that Pablo Casals “discovered” them is clearly hyperbole.

This is a valuable text for musicians and aficionados. There a plenty of musical examples, mostly related to variations in the textual transmission, but they were clearly explained for the non-specialist. I would love to read a similar book on the solo violin works!