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December 30, 2006 at 5:29 PM

I didn't play viola for about 3 weeks because I didn't want to mess up my violin technique (such as that is) before my performance, but now that's over, and I was really itching to get back to the viola. I took it out again and it really does sound as good as I remembered.

For Christmas, I got a CD of the Bach cello suites played on viola by Patricia McCarty. I listened to it driving back and forth to New Jersey to visit relatives for the holidays. I was trying to pick a piece to work on next. I was at first partial to the prelude from suite no. 1; it's famous and I've heard it many times before. But the courante from that suite started to grow on me somewhere around Connecticut and I think I'll work on that one instead. First, anyway. There are six suites, each with many parts. I know you all know that already, and I did too, but I didn't really know it until now. So much to do, so little time.

I listen to music a lot while travelling. The landscape and its motion blend in with the music as I listen. I'm often on the subway or the bus, watching people. But this time, there were the leafless trees, the sleeping earth. The Bach cello suites. Right now I like them better on viola. On cello, I find them kind of depressing, mournful without end. You could listen to them while drifting through endless space watching the planets go by and the stardust. The viola gives them a dash of warmth and brightness.

I got back home and read some reviews of CD's and performances on v.com. I'm frankly amazed at the emotional maturity that other people exhibit in what they have to say about a particular interpretation of a piece of music. Whereas I am feeling, now, as if it could easily take me the rest of my life to really get my head around the Bach cello suites.

From jennifer steinfeldt warren
Posted on December 30, 2006 at 6:47 PM

The Bach Cello Suites is what really made me ache to play cello, and then viola. I couldn't make them sound very nice on the cello...but on the viola it seemed natural almost! At least the first two did. I learned the first suite first, it was like putting on a very well-fitting favourite piece of clothing. The second suite I played in my recital. It was a bit harder to polsish, really polish well. I found the parts that are traditionally hard to be the easiest, and I struggled with the less demanding mvts.
Now I'm working on suite 3, and don't know if I'll ever feel happy about the way I play it, and be able to move on!!! The bow work is incredibly difficult on the allemande, courante, and at points, hte gigue. Most the all/cour. though.

I love the feeling of coming back tot he viola after having to spend a large portion of time focusing on the violin for practical raesons. It is like opening the door to find your sister standing there with her travel bags or something. (a sister you deeply love....).

Sals,
JW

From Mendy Smith
Posted on January 1, 2007 at 1:06 AM

I'm on the 6th on the viola myself now. 2 years on it, and still working it. Gotta love Bach!

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