J.S. Bach Cello Suites (Complete), played on mandolin (World's First Complete Mandolin Recording)
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- Опубликовано: 31 июл 2024
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Learned and recorded over the period of 15 months, starting as my New Year Resolution in Jan 2020, I'm proud to present, in what I believe is the first published version ever, the complete Bach Cello Suites played on the mandolin. Originally published serially under the running title "Johnny Bach Resolution 2020," I completed the final recording several days ago, and have now compiled the whole series for unbroken listening. My goal from the outset of the project was to publish a new recording approximately every week, using the meager recording equipment I already had, not waiting for perfection before progressing on. Therefore, these recordings are presented almost completely raw, with only two movements containing any cut at all, and only reverb and simple movement-wide volume adjustments applied.
I hope this serves as a starting point, as inspiration for mandolinists everywhere to improve on what's here and share this glorious music on this fantastic instrument.Please enjoy, and sharing the wish of Bach himself: Soli Deo Gloria!
Music referenced was the Polo transcription for violin, with my own fingerings, dynamics, mandolin-specific note durations, octave shifts (in Suite No. 6), and occasional note corrections.
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 1 in G major (played in D major), BWV 1007
0:00:00 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
0:02:26 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
0:04:42 Courante, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
0:06:16 Sarabande, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
0:08:37 Minuet I / II, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
0:10:37 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor (played in A♭ minor (mandolin tuned down 1/2 step)), BWV 1008
0:11:30 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
0:17:51 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
0:19:37 Courante, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
0:20:43 Sarabande, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
0:24:00 Minuet I / II, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
0:26:08 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 3 in C major (played in G major), BWV 1009
0:27:29 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
0:31:20 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
0:33:23 Courante, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
0:35:27 Sarabande, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
0:38:26 Bourrée I / II, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
0:40:40 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major (played in B♭ major), BWV 1010
0:42:26 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
0:47:53 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
0:50:41 Courante, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
0:53:05 Sarabande, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
0:55:31 Bourrée I / II, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
0:59:22 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 4 in E♭ major, BWV 1010
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor (played in G minor (mandolin tuned to A=435Hz)), BWV 1011
1:01:07 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
1:08:33 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
1:11:56 Courante, Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
1:13:08 Sarabande (Artificial Harmonics), Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
1:15:22 Gavotte I / II, Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
1:18:36 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
J. S. Bach Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:20:29 Prelude, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:25:04 Allemande, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:29:42 Courante, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:32:01 Sarabande, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:34:24 Gavotte I / II, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
1:37:01 Gigue, Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012 
Видеоклипы
Hi Phil. I just want to thank you for the huge inspiration I've drawn from your Bach project. I've played mandolin for many years, and mandocello, too. But having never learned to read, it kind of never occurred to me that I could play the beloved Cello Suites myself, in spite of listening to them for nearly 40 years. My dad sent this video to me in November, and somehow it all clicked. 8 weeks later, aging synapses and arthritic fingers have conspired to make even the first Prelude a huge undertaking, but I'm doing it, and it's an absolutely wonderful feeling! I dare say I wouldn't have made the leap without you, so I can't thank you enough. I clearly won't learn one piece a week, but I'll keep chewing away, at least an hour a day, through thick and thin. Many thanks for lighting the way!
This is such an encouragement to me… thank you! Press on, and keep being awesome!
Hi Jesse. Your comment resounded with me. Like you I undertook Bach on the mandolin late in life. To make the move from bluegrass was indeed an undertaking. But it can be done. Both the fingers and the brain needed the lubricant of determination. Many days it was one bar at a time. I live remotely in the mountains of British Columbia and, accompanied by my faithful and beautiful chocolate Labrador (RIP) we’d take long walks daily through the snow and I could contemplate the ‘bar of the day’. Good luck and all the best.
I've played quite a few of these over the years. I know what's involved in completing this project. Give yourself a pat on the back; you've a lot to be proud of.
Learning one of the pieces alone is a pretty substantial achievement. Knowing the whole work is a massive accomplishment.
Fantastic playing; such a demanding project and so beautifully done!
Your Allemandes are exquisite.
Most people have no idea how hard it is to execute dynamics on a mandolin the way you do. It's like you're winning a world war there, all alone with nothing with which to defend yourself but a plectrum, it's OUTSTANDING. So much restraint; expert control.
Ever watch Sierra Hull? 😉😆
This is such an underrated video. How come it only now was suggested to me. Hello, YT algorithm, what's wrong with you?
I've just randomly passed by this video late at night, and I'm completely stunned. I have to compliment you specifically on your rendition of the prelude in c minor, which I don't think I've heard performed with that perfect synthesis of restrained grandeur and intense emotionality since Pierre Fournier was in his heyday. Especially how the contrast between the french ouverture and the "fugue" (which is, by the way, masterfully artiulated dynamically to avoid the risk of turgid fugue performance) is achieved here is completely brilliant. Thank you for this, and congratulations on the achievement.
As much as this project was a journey for your own advancement, thank you for this gift. The Cello Suites typically take me back to college, to the grandeur of traveling the world and hearing excellent musicians perform on a regular basis. But somehow your rendition brings me back home. Perhaps it's the mandolin's humble sound or how I associate it with Americana, but when I close my eyes, it feels like I could be walking in the door of home from a long absence and hear from a far-off den a grandfather or uncle (or brother-in-law ;) ) plucking away idly.
My two favorite movements were 5.4 and 6.1. They felt like the dreariness of a too-long winter melting into the joy of spring cleaning and new, fresh, wild, LIFE. I admit I noticed them because they are the extremes of the suites, but they both made me stop my dishwashing and laundry folding and just watch, think, and smile.
Stumbled on this this morning. Thank you.
You moved me to tears, you totally get Bach🙏
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!!! I think you might convert me to Bach
Love mandolino, love Bach. Very good combo. Bravo veramente!
Very nice jam while cleaning the kitchen. Thank you!
Just discovered this while looking for inspiring mandolin music for fueling my own practice. I am new to the instrument (and playing music more generally), so impressed by your work and determination, thank you for sharing this beautiful compilation and completion. Soli Deo Gloria!
Hi phil i have no knoledge of notatation .i mean i understand it but not practiced ,i love classicle music an keep it as a back ground in my house as back ground at night ,an jaze during day here in salem oregon ,iam in my front yard among the high grass listening to you ,your amazing an appreciate your skill.will also listen to you more as i deliver fuel to servistations in portland or traffic ,so calming to me i play mandolin as a self plucker. thank you
I appreciate your kind words! If you’re interested, I’ve started turning these into formal albums. Volume 1 (First Suite and Second Suite) just released a bit over a week ago. It’s here on my RUclips channel, on Spotify and basically every other streaming place, and for sale to own from iTunes, Amazon, and Qobuz. Hope it’s even more enjoyable!
I adore this. Definitely an amazing achievement, I need to get these down myself.
Took a chance on listening to this. I was surpised by how many movements are quite persuasive on the mandolin. Bach's genius, no doubt. Bravo on this magnificent undertaking. Have saved this to listen again. Soli deo gloria!
i mean, credit to the player too! he did a great job playing very sensitively
This needs way more views dude! Fantastic playing.
Fantastic. Your work will inspire many, I believe.
Phil, thank you! Amazing!
I'm just learning to play mandolin and very much enjoy this way.
As someone who has had this unbelievable music with him nearly all my life(and listened to just about every recording you can find, because with every recording comes new notes somehow(the mystery of Bach)) this was a wonderful experience. I play the mandolin as well as the cello, and this instrument brings a whole different approach to these suites. Wonderful job, and thank you.
Brilliant 👏
Bravo! Amazing!
DAMN! Beautiful and so well played.
Sublime!👍
This is amazing. Thanks!
absolutely amazing!!
Wonderful.
I've tried to learn a few of these and I know how tough they are! To learn all of them and record them so beautifully is a huge accomplishment! Wow. Amazing work. I'll definitely listen to this many times.
First off, huge congrats to you for knocking out this enormous project!
It was a joy to get to hear this all back to back… I had not yet heard it on any instrument in its entirety!
It’s always exciting to see other mandolin players who enjoy reading classical music.
Soli Dei Gloria!
Nice! And Thank You!
Some amazing moments!
Wunderschön. Vielen Dank.
We love these Cello songs, thanks for sharing them on mandolin, nicely done 😊
beautiful
❤ amazing
Bravo!
A beauty! Well done!
Maravilloso!
This is so wonderful.
Thank you so much. I loved every moment! Have subscribed and saved. I
Beautiful recordings
I have this under my favorites and listen to it often. Wonderful job and the recording sounds nice!
Stunning
Bravo, very inspiring work here.
sounds beautiful
This is such an incredible achievement, congratulations and well done.
Beautiful
Simply superb! Cheers Jim
Fabulous interpretation, thank you very much for sharing!!!
Amazing ❤
wooow this is amazing! congratulations!
nice one! love it!
Maravilloso
Wow this is such an achievement! Loved every second :)
Sarabande with the harmonics was nice!! 👏
a hero without a cape! bravo
Thank you for your wonderful playing of these beautiful suites. So nice to have the modeling. I have learned the first but none of the others.
Very well played .. great touch .. beautiful tone
Thank you man !
This is an awesome project. I am playing a few right along with you. Thanks
Your dedication to this cello adaptation is impressive.
You sound really good !
Absolutely fantastic! Thanks, Phil, for this glorious music and great recording. And your hard work :-)
Such a great mandolin sound! Дуже гарно, дякую!
Very impressive, Phil! I think you deserve more recognition for your hard work here.
Thank you for this great sharing wonderful! Bless you!
That was beautiful! Thank you Phil! ♥
Grand stuff
I've been working on getting these all under my fingers lately (also on Mando) and this is a great inspiration for me too keep at it. Thanks for posting. Sounds beautiful.
Wonderful accomplishment. (I've only tackled a couple of these pieces but it's been a video I look for every time I start to think about one more.)
WOWEE mate! What a monumental undertaking. And it sounds great--I always love mandolin being used for classical music.
Great !!!
Thank you for this. After spending a year on the prelude, with your video I'll move beyond and try to dive deeper. Inspirational.
Outstandingly awesome! The time and dedication you put into this shines through. And your skill, your passion is truly awe inspiring! Thank you. And whether you know it or not, your contribution of this composition enriches the world. Again, thank you.
Bostin. Well done, Phil. This was a huge undertaking. Congratulations and kudos *doffs hat.
Tremendo sublime bellísimo
Wonderful playing! I’m also working on the first cell suite right now. You are years ahead of me. 🙂
This is amazing man! You have inspired me to pick up my mandolin and learn some Bach!
I love suite Cello Bach and you play very good
perfect study/coding/sleeping music too!
What an accomplishment.
Phil, I just discovered you today, this was awesome, thanks!!! New subscriber!
Wow: I don't know how I missed posting this until now. I already know Prelude, Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor. I'm going to have to go through this entire list now and learn to play at least 5 more myself. This is absolutely excellent. Thank you for the huge effort this must have taken.
Bravo! This is inspiring to see, I hope I can manage to play (much less memorize) even half of a cello suite one day!
Good job!
Bravissimo maestro!
Excellent 🕊🌸🌸🌸💞🕊
I believe that this journey of yours has been an inspiration for many of us. Just by reading the title of your video, a feeling of devotion and self discipline popped immediately into my head. Let me thank you for this amazing work and congrats you for the many hours of works.
So happy that you posted this! I have been playing the Suites on viola for years, but love the mandolin! You have done well! Sensitive phrasing, core tone, sparkling interpretation. A joy to listen to! Bravo.
Very kind of you! Thank you so much!
Wow. Extraordinary and hugely beautiful. Pablo Casals will never sound quite the same again.
Bravo!
from Lisbon
just got myself a lovely mandolin (guitar/bass/recorder player) and after tackling the Vivaldi mandolin concerti as a starter have moved on to the cello suites as a reading/fingering exercise. This is a brilliant resource. Well done and thank you!
thnx phil - am working on some bach pieces - you inspire me
Had no idea Lance Armstrong played the mandolin so very beautifully!
😆
Hello and good afternoon Mr. Woodhull! Thank you for the beautiful music to listen to while eating lunch!!
Best wishes from St. Louis MO!
wow impressive!
Thank you Johnny for these magnificent Bach suites transposed to the mandolin. Strange is that the interpreter only has the first name, Johnny.
also, those pinch harmonics on the 5th sarabande are a great touch!
Qué hermoso!!! Me encanta!!! Estoy todo el tiempo intentando lograrlo en el cello! Pero tu versión con ese instrumento, es preciosa!! Gracias por compartir!! Saludos desde Argentina!!
awsome!
thank you so much for this incredible recording. I am practicing Bach's cello suite on mandolin for a while and could not do it, till now.
You can do it! Take it one movement at a time, get it to a certain percentage of perfection (NOT 100%!), then go on to another movement. You might be surprised how smart your fingers get as you go!
Well done