Johann Sebastian Bach's Prelude in G major is probably the most frequently heard piece for solo cello. It is familiar to many, often from film soundtracks, for example Master and Commander - and many others. It is not so familiar played on the theorbo, however. On theorbo the piece retains most of the depth of sound, but in a different color and guise, and I feel it also gains something not present in the cello version: longer resonance, the successive notes blending into each other, like colors in a kaleidoscope.
The theorbo is the largest member of the lute family, with a peculiar re-entrant tuning: the first two strings, usually the highest on stringed instruments, are tuned an octave down. The tuning allows playing closely spaced chords and tight voicings and scales in campanella style, all great benefits for this particular composition.
Performed by Tuomas Kourula on the theorbo.
27 май 2024
