After an absence of 12 years from orchestral playing, Peter Martens has recently returned to the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra as their principal cellist. He shares Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Solo Cello Suites which offer a guide to nearly everything a cello can do. Featured in ballet, theatre productions and many film soundtracks the suites have inspired cellists and audiences alike. At the time of their composition there were relatively few works composed for what was considered a solo instrument. Interest in Bach’s works have been piqued in recent years by Yo-Yo Ma’s global Bach project, where he planned to play 36 concerts, embarked on 36 days of action on 6 continents to conduct 1 experiment, how culture connects us.
25 June 2020 : Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
Enjoy the rest of Bach’s solo cello suites played by Peter Martens during the 2020 Virtual National Arts Festival:
Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 – 26 June
Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 – 27 June
Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010 – 30 June
Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 – 3 July
Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 – 4 July