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Written by James Fawcett
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Saturday, 20 June 2009 |
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The accomplished cellist Orlando Jopling is coming to Thornham on Saturday July 18th and giving two concerts: 12 noon in Thornham Parva, and 6pm in Thornham Magna churches, where he will be performing five of the Suites for solo cello by J S Bach. Orlando is taking his performances of these works to churches up and down the country. It is great that he has fitted us into his schedule, and he was very keen to share the performance between our two churches. I will add some notes below about the music.
For those who would like to make a day of it Karen and her team at the Walled Garden will be offering lunch, and Magna church will be open to everyone during the afternoon for teas, cakes, bells, etc. Do drop in! Leaflets will be coming round with the Gnus, but for more information ring James Fawcett, 01379 788130.
The Bach solo suites are 'landmark' works in the cello repertoire, written fairly early in his life, the earliest known manuscript is in the hand of Bach's second wife, Anna Magdalena. Each suite consists of a prelude followed by a number of dance movements. The varying character of these dances becomes a vehicle for Bach to explore a whole range of moods and emotions and it is their depth and variety that has brought both audiences and great musicians to this music again and again. Pablo Casals began performing them in public in the 1930s and made a famous recording, and every cellist since has both performed and recorded these works - some, like Rostropovich and Yo-Yo Ma, more than once. An article about the Suites is available here. Orlando has a website where he has put more information about his concerts and his effort to raise money for churches, including his own plans for a recording: http://cellopilgrimage.blogspot.com/
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