SuiteS de Bach para contraBaixo: o eStado da peSquiSa

Abstract

J.S. Bach’s Six Suites for Violoncello, BWV 1007-12 (c. 1720), are not only key violoncello repertoire, they have become so for the double bass as well. Indeed, bassists have performed, transcribed and published to such an extent that it seems time to summarize the state of the research and to air some of the issues involved. These issues include tessitura, transposition, editorial decisions of transcription (especially revoicing of chords), performance practice, and the integrity of the suites. This discussion is accompanied by a bibliography including all recordings, editions, and articles specifically addressing the performance of these works on the bass and a checklist of more general items. This paper is a revision of a paper read at the 3rd World Bass Conference, Wroc?aw, August 15, 2008.
Keywords: Bach; Violoncello; Suites; Bass; Transcription.