It’s been exactly one year since we began this journey through the Bach Cello Suites, and we’re a third of the way – two Suites down and four to go! This music is so vital and vibrant, and I hope you’re enjoying this as much as I am.
And because today is #GivingTuesday, I’m asking you to support something I care about deeply. Please click here or the Donate button below the video to make a tax-deductible contribution to 4-Way’sfree education program.
We give lessons and chamber music opportunities to underserved kids here in Cincinnati, and it’s only possible because of your generosity. Thank you very much for your support, and I’ll see you next time, with the Prelude to the 3rd Suite!
In today’s video, we hear the Allemande from the d minor Suite, which contains one of the most shocking moments in all of Bach’s cello music. Bach surprises us with the most dissonant chord he can – the tritone, sometimes called “The Devil In Music”, followed by a sudden flurry of very fast notes. To me, it sounds like someone pulling a fire alarm and running away – maybe Bach, a profoundly religious man, felt guilty after dancing with the Devil.
As always, these videos are to raise support for 4-Way’s free education program for underserved kids- please consider making a donation by clicking the button below the video, and please like, share and post comments!
As hard as it is to imagine right now, school starts in two weeks! 4-Way will once again be in residence at Woodford Paideia, assisting with 5th and 6th grade orchestra, this time for the whole school year. We’ll begin our after school program in early September, and we can’t wait! There will be more news coming soon about the program, new supporters, and upcoming concerts – stay tuned! In the meantime, here’s a video Kevin made with highlights from last year’s program – I hope you enjoy it as much as we do, and if you’re able to support our work, please click the donate button below the video – thank you!
Today’s video is a reminder of how simple classical music really is. To understand it, you only need to know one thing – that Bach had 20 children. That’s all there is to it. In the Courante from the G major Suite, Bach gives us a musical conversation that any parent will recognize, and he must have had all the time. To learn more, watch the video below! And if you like it, please consider supporting 4-Way’s free lessons program for underserved children with a donation by clicking on the Donate button below the video.
https://youtu.be/LWEkB06t-Pg&w=550
Thanks for watching – and be sure to tune in next week for a very different kind of piece – the G major Sarabande, the Baroque era’s equivalent of “Dirty Dancing.” See you then!
Yesterday, 4-Way began our education program! After a quick snack, we started playing. Led by our amazing violin teacher, Trista Emmons, by the end of the afternoon we had the kids playing simple duets together, and had some pretty impressive bowholds to show off, too!
We ended the afternoon with some “body percussion”, led by Woodford’s awesome music teacher, Angela Carota – here’s a snippet:
