Bach's cello suites belong, since their discovery by Pablo Casals in the beginning of the 20th Century, to the most important pieces of the cello literature. It is thought that the cello suites originated during Bach's time in Köthen, between 1717 an 1723. He managed to write polyphonically for a melodic instrument. The appeal of these works lies in their sparseness. Using minimal means Bach created a masterpiece with complete harmony and counterpoint up to polyphonic fugues. The cello suites are not only a proof of Bach's extreme compositional abilities but also evidence of his profound spirit. To their performance there are as many opinions as there are cellists. However it's the interpreter's attitude towards the pieces and not the technical perfection that determines their impact on the audience. An inner concentration is necessary. In addition to the complete resolution of the technical task at hand one must persist on a permanent spiritual activity. In his work, which consists largely of music for the church, Bach manages to express and awaken the religious feeling which exists, regardless of the religion or the origin, in every human being. By capturing the religious and artistic in each human being Bach achieves something that seems to be now more essential than ever. He helps us come to a spiritual composure and introspection. That which we collectively feel, understand and admire unites us.
Recorded on the 29th of September 2013 in the St. Martini church in Braunschweig.
Michael Heupel, cello
Μιχάλης Χόιπελ, βιολοντσέλο

Bach's cello suites belong, since their discovery by Pablo Casals in the beginning of the 20th Century, to the most important pieces of the cello literature. It is thought that the cello suites originated during Bach's time in Köthen, between 1717 an 1723. He managed to write polyphonically for a melodic instrument. The appeal of these works lies in their sparseness. Using minimal means Bach created a masterpiece with complete harmony and counterpoint up to polyphonic fugues. The cello suites are not only a proof of Bach's extreme compositional abilities but also evidence of his profound spirit. To their performance there are as many opinions as there are cellists. However it's the interpreter's attitude towards the pieces and not the technical perfection that determines their impact on the audience. An inner concentration is necessary. In addition to the complete resolution of the technical task at hand one must persist on a permanent spiritual activity. In his work, which consists largely of music for the church, Bach manages to express and awaken the religious feeling which exists, regardless of the religion or the origin, in every human being. By capturing the religious and artistic in each human being Bach achieves something that seems to be now more essential than ever. He helps us come to a spiritual composure and introspection. That which we collectively feel, understand and admire unites us.
Recorded on the 29th of September 2013 in the St. Martini church in Braunschweig.
Michael Heupel, cello
Μιχάλης Χόιπελ, βιολοντσέλο
 

Bach's cello suites belong, since their discovery by Pablo Casals in the beginning of the 20th Century, to the most important pieces of the cello literature. It is thought that the cello suites originated during Bach's time in Köthen, between 1717 an 1723. He managed to write polyphonically for a melodic instrument. The appeal of these works lies in their sparseness. Using minimal means Bach created a masterpiece with complete harmony and counterpoint up to polyphonic fugues. The cello suites are not only a proof of Bach's extreme compositional abilities but also evidence of his profound spirit. To their performance there are as many opinions as there are cellists. However it's the interpreter's attitude towards the pieces and not the technical perfection that determines their impact on the audience. An inner concentration is necessary. In addition to the complete resolution of the technical task at hand one must persist on a permanent spiritual activity. In his work, which consists largely of music for the church, Bach manages to express and awaken the religious feeling which exists, regardless of the religion or the origin, in every human being. By capturing the religious and artistic in each human being Bach achieves something that seems to be now more essential than ever. He helps us come to a spiritual composure and introspection. That which we collectively feel, understand and admire unites us.
Recorded on the 29th of September 2013 in the St. Martini church in Braunschweig.
Michael Heupel, cello
Μιχάλης Χόιπελ, βιολοντσέλο