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It was a pleasure and an education to have Frank Koonce join me on the Classical Guitar Corner podcast to talk about the music of Bach.
Publications by Frank Koonce are available here:
http://www.frankkoonce.com/publications/
Thank you for this post. I am currently studying the Six Unaccompanied Cello Suites by Bach as arranged by Stanley Yates. Also, I recently downloaded a discussion by Frank Koonce and very interested in his work. My study of the Cello Suites has to date only included the first Suite so, I’m very new at Bach. I really like the Allemande, Courante, Minuet I and the Gigue. Thanks, again, for this post.
Well that was just excellent Simon. Thanks so much for posting this wealth of information relating to so many details and aspects of Bach’s music that we love to play on the guitar. Lots to take in and try to apply. Best Wishes.
Does anyone play the first cello suite prelude using professor Koonce’s arrangement? I would love to hear any thoughts on the chromatic ascent building to the final. He uses a single note alternating with the A, versus other editions that use 3rds or 6ths.
In addition to the Bach work, his terrific Platero & I, (two versions-English or a later Spanish language recording) of a Castelnuovo-Tedesco set for spoken voice and guitar has been an obsession of mine for the last two months.
Hi Rick,
Do you have the Koonce edition? I am keen to have a look at it. I discuss that passage in detail in Guitoberfest, so I hope it answers some questions for you. The cello version uses the single line, however, I believe the 6ths add to the excitement and drama of the passage. It really is up to you in the end.
I have both editions. I am very excited to get into the prelude in Guitoberfest. I love the feel and sound of the 6ths but I am thinking about how to make sure the finale is as powerful and triumphant as it should be. I don’t want to go to “eleven,” before that!
Oh, and congratulations on putting some phenomenal podcasts together Simon!
Bravo!
Thanks so much Simon for the excellent podcasts. It’s as if these world-class musicians are in my loungeroom, having a discussion with you about the topics they are passionate about. So insightful- I learn something new with every podcast!
Great podcast! Let’s remember that Frank Koonce has also authored books of Vihuela music and Spanish Baroque guitar music. His catalog also includes much contemporary music. I have been working on his First Cello Suite arrangement – I think his arrangements of the first 3 suites bear witness to his approach to this music in that it is ever evolving.
Excellent podcast, Simon! Very timely for me, as I will be working on the prelude of the first cello suite in Guitoberest. Thank you for all the work you do.