Johann Sebastian Bach: Cello Suite No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cello Suite No. 3 in C Major, BWV 1009
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cello Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major, BWV 1010
David Louwerse: Cello
After a very satisfying musical weekend hosted by Pradel Association for the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine (European Heritage Days) in a very cool artist’s studio last week, my last weekend in Dieulefit promised a possibly even more memorable musical experience with eminent teacher and cellist David Louwerse playing no less than Johann Sebastian Bach’s six Cello Suites in nearby Comps’ gorgeously restored hilltop Romanesque église de Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul over the course of those two afternoons.
Although it was hard to tell if it was due to Louwerse’s rock star status in Dieulefit and beyond, Bach’s genius composer status all over the world, or the little church’s unassuming inner and outer beauty, or a combination of the three, the concert was sold-out, and the most anxious ticket-holders had started showing up even earlier than usual, which currently is about 30 minutes before the concert's starting time, and had to wait patiently outside, never mind the low temperature and cold wind. Anything for Bach by Louwerse.
As we were eventually making our way in, my mom and I couldn’t help but notice how appropriate the venue was, intimate enough in size for a solo performer, sober enough in look for the diverse audience, and grand enough in atmosphere for the masterpieces that were going to come alive in it. And let’s not forget its flawless acoustics that even Louwerse, who has played there regularly for years now, commented on. In short, all stars were aligned for the perfect Saturday afternoon.
After a short introduction by Pradel Association’s president Pascaline Dallemagne and valuable insights about the pieces by Louwerse, the latter kicked off the mighty journey with the powerfully compelling Prelude of the joyful Cello Suite No. 1, the one movement that everybody knows, even if they don’t know that they know it, thanks to its frequent cameos in pop culture. Unsurprisingly, we all immediately fell under the music’s irresistible spell, and not a single peep was heard from the audience for the entire performance, which is remarkable enough to be mentioned.
In Louwerse’s expert hands, the still-fresh-after-all-these-years first suite brilliantly expressed childhood’s unspoiled sense of wonder at the world, even though, let’s face it, there’s not much to marvel at these days. And then, sure enough, the occasionally painful sense of awareness that inevitably emerges in later years came in the form of dark currents and an introspective mood in the Cello Suite No. 2. But not to worry, the sun shone again in all its invincible splendor in the optimistic Cello Suite No. 3, and all was well in the world again. Or so it felt.
After a much-needed intermission during which we got some really fresh air and caught up with friends outside, we were back in our little pew in a slightly less crowded church. The concert did indeed stretch out a bit, but those who did not stick around truly missed out as things became even more interesting with the daunting Cello Suite No. 4, but not daunting enough to unnerve Louwerse, who serenely navigated the work’s myriad technical demands, sounding in fact almost invigorated by the various challenges that relentlessly came his way. And that was our first afternoon of Bach by Louwerse.
Four down. Two more to go.
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