Programme notes and performers bio: Johann Sebastian Bach was a great German organist, improviser and a prolific composer. He composed most instrumental music including Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello during the period 1717-1723 when he served as Capellmeister to Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen. The suites contain a great variety of technical devices and a wide range of emotional content. Good harmonic progressions and rich contrapuntal texture compel voice interactions and conversations. Since no autograph manuscript survives, many interpretations of the suites exist with no singularly accepted version. However, the suites have been transcribed for numerous instruments like the violin, viola, marimba, classical guitar horn, euphonium etc. The suites are in six movements each, and have the following order: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Minuets for and, Gigue. Suite No. 1 in G major The Prelude, mainly consisting of arpeggiated chords, is probably the best known movement from the entire set of suites and is regularly heard on television and in films. Suite No. 2 in D minor The Prelude consists of two parts, the first of which has a strong recurring theme that is immediately introduced in the beginning. The second part is a scale-based cadenza movement that leads to the final, powerful chords. The subsequent Allemande contains short cadenzas that stray away from this otherwise very strict dance form. Suite No. 3 in C major The second Bourrée, though in C minor, has a 2-flat (or G minor) key-signature. This notation, common in pre-Classical music, is sometimes known as a partial key-signature. The first and second Bourrée of the third suite is sometimes used as solo material for other bass instruments such as the tuba, euphonium, trombone and bassoon. (Order of performance does not follow the order above.) Henry Chan embarked on his musical journey at the age of six, first taking violin lessons and later picking up the viola at the age of fifteen - both under the tutelage of the esteemed Mr Wai Ming Wong. Henry excelled in progress: by 2011, he completed a LTCL recital diploma in violin with a distinction. Two years later, he attained a high distinction in LTCL recital diploma in viola. Henry was awarded a music scholarship to study at Harrow School. From the age of 17, he studied strings music with Dmitar Burov, the head of strings at Harrow. Henry’s interest in music stems beyond the strings. Having discovered his love for the piano at six, Henry sought to further develop his musical talents, marking it with his Diploma in piano in 2012.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Apr 2014 09:09:48 +0000