Florian Berner’s A Journey Through Bach’s 6 Unaccompanied Cello Suites

Wednesday, 29 March 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Please RSVP at contactus@puckergallery.com!

“In the words of Pablo Casals, Johann Sebastian Bach is the essence of all music, and the 6 Suites for cello solo are the essence of Bach's music.

For me being a cellist it is easy to agree with this way to see the Suites. They have accompanied my life as a musician ever since and I do not get tired of playing them, reading and re-reading them and enjoying the infinite possibilities of interpretation, character and mood they offer.

I see them very similar to Rembrandt's self portraits: the artist enters into conversation with himself, lets us read his private diary, and we get a very personal insight into his thinking and feeling. This makes the Suites so irresistibly challenging and rewarding for listeners and players alike.

Regarding Bach´s own concept of writing the 6 Suites, as always with him, the true meaning is deliberately opaque. I do like the thought they might follow 6 stations in the life of Christ. From the  first G major suite signifying Christ’s birth to the last two recalling crucifixion (c minor) and resurrection (D major). I also see them as a way to explore the technique of an instrument which at the time was no solo instrument at all, rather serving as basso continuo. And last but not least, Bach used them to explore and expand his own abilities as a composer, taking up the challenge to realise polyphony by a single melodic instrument.

I would like to take an audience on a journey through those six suites. This music does of course reveal Bach's personality and genius, but most of all we listen to understand ourselves better. And by guiding the audience through those 6 miracles of music, I am happy to undertake this journey together.”

~ Florian Berner