Go to our Technical Information page for more details on how to do this or if you are having any problems with playing any of the tracks. He understood to perfection the possibilities of all stringed instruments. This is evidenced by his solos for the violin and the violoncello without bass. He also profoundly understood the individual technical and musical character of each stringed instrument, as well as its limitations. Nowhere is Bach's holistic understanding of a stringed instrument more evident than in his six works for violoncello solo.
Bach writes completely in harmony with the natural pitch, tone quality, and pace of the violoncello.
Bach's technical understanding was applied in the service of a musical inspiration that brought forth works of endless fascination, challenge, beauty, and spiritual renewal. With the sparest of musical materials, Bach set out not only to suggest a separately-moving bass line, but also to provide a palpable harmony, all without overshadowing the importance of the melody. That the listener instinctively never feels the lack of a keyboard or continuo in this music is proof that Bach succeeded. The cello Suites have always been recognized as works of singular grandeur and endless quiet beauty. It is safe to conclude that as long as there are cellos, and cellists to play them, that judgment is not likely to change in the least.