11. Candlelit Late Night

Homage to Johann Sebastian Bach

Britten wrote his three Cello Suites for the great Russian cellist Rostropovich, duly set down on the famous table napkin contract in the presence of Shostakovich, who had introduced them to each other after a London performance by Rostropovich of Shostakovich's Cello Concerto. The 'contract' was for Britten to compose six solo cello suites as a homage to Bach for Rostropovich to premiere at Britten’s Aldeburgh Festival. The First Suite is in nine short movements held together by a Canto based on a theme by Bach. Our soloist is the famous Danish cellist, Andreas Brantelid.