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J.S.
BACH: Cello Suites 1, 3 & 5
D. GABRIELLI: Ricercars 1, 3 & 5
BASED
ON WHITCOMB'S NEW CRITICAL EDITIONS
BENJAMIN WHITCOMB
$14.95 ~ MS1177
"Whitcomb
is a fine player... a member of the Ancora String Quartet. He has a large tone,
good clean technique, and is bolstered by a fine sound on this recording...The
addition of the highly virtuosic and first-ever works for solo cello by Gabrieli
make a...favorable bonus." AUDIOPHILE
AUDITION, FEBRUARY 2008
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This
recording features three of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Suites for Unaccompanied
Cello and three of Domenico Gabrielli’s Ricercars for Unaccompanied Cello,
taken from my own critical editions of the works. I have studied the works from
the standpoints of cellist and music theorist, focusing on each movement's
harmonic and melodic structure, key relationships, and motives. I have made
every effort to consider these attributes of the music while making musical or
technical decisions, including fingering, bowing, dynamics, phrasing, and tempi.
At the same time, I have endeavored to perform the works with an almost
improvisational freedom that baroque aesthetics valued and that keeps the music
alive. - B.W.
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An
expert in the area of string pedagogy, American cellist BENJAMIN
WHITCOMB is known for his
work in teaching both technique and musicianship. His book on effective
practicing is scheduled to be published in 2008. Dr. Whitcomb is a contributing
author to Teaching Music through Performance in Orchestra, Vol. 3, and has
presented papers on cello and on music theory at several national conferences,
including those of American String Teachers Association and the Society for
Music Theory. He is also a reviewer and editor for the Cello Forum of the
American String Teacher journal. Dr. Whitcomb served as chair of the
instrumental faculty at the La Musica Lirica music festival in Nova Feltria,
Italy, from 2004 to 2007.
Mr.
Whitcomb is currently Associate Professor of Cello and Music Theory at the
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. A member of the Madison-based Ancora String
Quartet and the UW-W Piano Trio, Mr. Whitcomb performs frequently across the
United States in solo and chamber music recitals, and in duo recital with
pianist and organist Vincent de Vries. He appears regularly on the "Sunday
Afternoon Live from the Chazen" concert series, broadcast statewide on
Wisconsin Public Radio. Dr. Whitcomb has held a number of positions in regional
orchestras in Texas and Wisconsin, including that of Associate Principal of the
Madison Symphony and of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.
Born
in Florida, Dr. Whitcomb spent most of his early years in Oklahoma, and
currently resides in Wisconsin. He attended Oklahoma State University (BM,
cello), Boston University, and the University of Texas at Austin (MM, cello
performance; PhD, music theory), and he has studied with Evan Tonsing, George
Neikrug and Phyllis Young.
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Johann
Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
SUITES for
UNACCOMPANIED CELLO
SUITE NO.1 in G MAJOR,
BWV.1007
SUITE NO.3 in C MAJOR,
BWV.1009
SUITE NO.5 in C MINOR,
BWV.1011
Domenico
Gabrielli (1651-1690)
RICERCARS for
UNACCOMPANIED CELLO
RICERCAR 1 in G MINOR
RICERCAR 3 in D MAJOR
RICERCAR 5 in C MAJOR
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Producer
and Recording Engineer:
L. Roger Yin
Recorded in Light Recital Hall,
Center of the Arts, University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater
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