Prom 68: Bach - Six Cello Suites

Yo-Yo Ma performs the complete solo cello suites by JS Bach, live at the BBC Proms

Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London
Presented by Tom Service

Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major for solo cello, BWV 1007
Bach: Suite No. 2 in D minor for solo cello, BWV 1008
Bach: Suite No. 3 in C major for solo cello, BWV 1009
Bach: Suite No. 4 in E flat major for solo cello, BWV 1010
Bach: Suite No. 5 in C minor for solo cello, BWV 1011
Bach: Suite No. 6 in D major for solo cello, BWV 1012

Yo-Yo Ma, cello

American cellist Yo-Yo Ma has been a regular Proms soloist for almost 40 years, and now tackles perhaps his boldest performance to date. He performs the complete Bach solo cello suites - over two hours of music - in a single concert: a feat as challenging intellectually as it is physically. Though neglected until the 20th century, the suites represent some of Bach's greatest musical achievements - music at its purest and most profound. Ma's relationship with them extends back over many decades and multiple recordings, generating expressive performances distinguished by their depth of emotion.