#e-flat major

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWal7S2Nc-U&feature=youtu.be

Week 5: Suite IV in E-Flat Major, Prelude

So happy to have worked on this Prelude! It has always been one of the "scariest"  movements for me, but I feel much better about it now.  One thing that strikes me is how much this prelude shares in common with the G major prelude (the repeated arpeggiations, the chord progressions, the fantasy-like middle section) and also another great work of Bach's, the C major Prelude from his Well-Tempered Clavier (Book 1).  I think it's even possible to sing a bit of Gounod's Ave Maria with this prelude--the chord progressions are that similar!  In any case, a wonderfully complex prelude to a beautiful suite.

The E-flat major suite is always a little daunting for cellists--the key does not "sit well" on the instrument which makes it quite tiresome.  But what music full of Joy!  And what a pleasure to start this project with these two elegant bourées.  You might even want to start dancing as you listen!

Music nerd moment: both this movement and the Allegro Assai that Byron shared begin with a similar four-note rising motive. Amazing to see how Bach can start with similar material, and yet write something so different! Genius! I also love how the second bourée is so clearly in rounded binary form, a precursor to sonata form.  Not sure what I'm talking about, but interested? Go here to find out more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binary_form 

Recorded at Cashmere United Methodist Church in Cashmere, WA