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Johann Sebastian Bach can be regarded as the father of music written for solo cello. With his Six Suites of dances for cello, he composed a benchmark work that all cellists measure themselves against sooner or later. This secular work touches the core of every listener with simplicity, sincerity and elegance. How did this superlative work inspire composers over the course of time? How were certain conventions breached in order to arrive at the music of today?

BACH&FRIENDS

This project discreetly turns the « listener's point of view » on its head, taking us on a journey into acoustic territory where the composers seem to contemplate each other from their own cultural and temporal terrain, despite the entirely original approaches they exhibit individually.
The music of Johann Sebastian Bach acts as an anchor point, while interspersed between each movement of his Suites for solo cello are short pieces by major composers of the 20th and 21st centuries. This alternation between tradition and modernity firstly takes us on a journey to the essence of the key, helping the listener feel its power and near-physical impact. Whenever we move away from it, a surprise occurs; whenever we return to it, we are reassuringly comforted again. By bringing listeners so close to the fundamental question of key, we give the audience the opportunity to discover more about contemporary music and to move beyond any preconceptions they may hold.
This alternation also offers listeners unusual transitions between the dances of Johann Sebastian Bach's suites. On occasions, these transitions bring out certain similarities between contemporary music and that of Bach by highlighting aspects of rhythm, melody or harmony that have in fact been directly taken from Bach's music. On other occasions, this alternation naturally bridges the different characters of Bach's dances.

"Estelle Revaz presents a demanding program which she interprets at a very high technical level. The sound is pure perfection, her phrasing is extremely clear and the dynamics are exceptionally refined. Estelle Revaz' performances are particularly unique and reveal that she is a masterful advocate of music, be it ancient or contemporary."

“On her new album Estelle Revaz demonstrates courage and skill, overcoming the technical pitfalls set by the highest pinnacles of music with comfortable mastery of her art. She shows why she certainly belongs to the great international hopes of her instrument.”

"Estelle Revaz has explored Bach's Cello Suites with a new perspective and has discovered passionate parallels with modern contemporary music. This is one of the best cello concepts of the moment!"

"Estelle Revaz is brilliant with a sparkling and exciting momentum. Her playing has punch, it emanates voluptuous temperament as well as sensual fantasy."

"The entire sequence of the pages is played with a logic and flair that gives them an almost choreographic quality, an aspect which is never impaired by the acrobatic virtuosity of a performer with the ability to sprinkle an array of instrumental colors that go hand in hand with a warm, all-encompassing lyricism. The dynamic contrasts, the completeness of expression and the full, velvety, melodic contours of Estelle Revaz’s playing mean that even what are in principle the most austere parts of the recording are conveyed with a wonderful blend of intelligence and sensitivity. Thus she is able to release their full emotional potential and highlight similarities between the music of Bach and a number of important composers of our time."

"On the cover of this album, Estelle Revaz holds her cello above her head in a triumphant gesture – and one quickly realizes that it is justified! For this CD, the artist has chosen two of Bach’s Cello Suites, interspersing each movement with a short contemporary piece. First of all, we can appreciate Estelle Revaz’s talent in the famous Bach Cello Suites (…). The Preludes exude poetry, the Allemandes are full of imagination and the Courantes as fast as you like, while the Minuets are gracious and the Sarabandes serious. Estelle Revaz’s performances remain faithful to the music written, which is also part of what makes them magnificent and captivating. The contemporary works require other qualities; the style is different, as is the technique. Estelle Revaz evidently masters this demanding repertoire with ease, and delivers it eloquently. This is sure to be a success… what a joy to play at such a high level!"

"Estelle Revaz’s energy and involvement light up her performances – an artist to discover right away!"

"Estelle Revaz moves with great ease from Baroque aesthetic to contemporary aesthetic and navigates remarkably between tradition and modernity: A young artist and real "friend of Bach", already at the summit of her art!"

“We salute the musical intelligence of this young musician, as well as her art of playing the cello that gives her the perfect vehicle for its expression.”

"The Bach Suites have been with Estelle Revaz since she was a child. This longstanding closeness to the works gives her interpretation both precision and flexibility, expressiveness and restraint. Her phrasing gives prominence to the musical structure without constraining her freedom as a soloist. Here, Revaz appears as a narrator of history, carving its words around her personal sensitivities."

"Estelle Revaz was made by fire. Her playing combines marvellously, assurance and sensitivity, momentum and abandon."

"Following her first album (Cantique, Neos), which she recorded with the Orchestre Musique des Lumières and its director, Facundo Agudin, cellist Estelle Revaz now cements the promise she gave glimpses of in the past."