Bach magic in Bamberg: Léa Duret plays the cello suites live!

Bach magic in Bamberg: Léa Duret plays the cello suites live!

On Friday, June 20th, the city of Bamberg is expecting a very special musical event. In the Elisabethenkirche im Sand, the French cellist Léa Duret will perform the first three suites for solo cello by Johann Sebastian Bach. This event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., marks the start of the... festival of music and attracts music lovers from near and far.

Admission to this concert is free, but the organizers of the “interesSAND…” initiative are happy about donations that are collected at the exit. This initiative is not only committed to promoting organ concerts, but also organizes one or two special concerts without organ per season in order to give space to artistic diversity.

Bach's masterpieces in focus

The performance of the suites, namelyBWV 1007, 1008and1009, not only showcases the musical highlights of Bach, but also showcases the impressive technique and musicality of Léa Duret. This top-class performer has already worked with many renowned orchestras in Europe and has proven her talent, among other things, as professor of cello at two Paris conservatories since 2013.

The six suites, preserved in a manuscript by Anna Magdalena Bach between 1727 and 1731, are considered essential works of cello literature. Bach created the suites, which place high technical demands on the players and whose virtuosity is widely recognized. The first suite, which begins with a prelude in G major, particularly shapes the character of these musical works. The formal structure of these suites, consisting of successive movements such as Allemande, Courante, Sarabande and Gigue, reflects the fashionable court dances of the time and has inspired generations of musicians.

Léa Duret: A musical talent with a rich history

Léa Duret received first prize for cello and chamber music at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris at the age of 19. She has expanded her extensive musical training through numerous master classes and engagements in symphony and chamber orchestras throughout Europe. She also taught at the Edward Said National Conservatory in Palestine from 2007 to 2009 and combined her experiences as a chamber musician in projects that combine music with theater and poetry.

In November 2022, Duret released a double CD with the complete suites for solo cello by Johann Sebastian Bach, which documents her artistic engagement with these masterpieces. With this performance in Bamberg she will now have the opportunity to present her interpretation live and to take the listener into the fascinating world of baroque music.

Music fans and culture lovers definitely shouldn't miss this event. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty of Bach's music in the beautiful setting of the Elisabethenkirche and at the same time enjoy a piece of cultural history up close. Interested readers can find further information in the articles by in Franconia and DWBF.