Trying to find unaccompanied cello suites that aren’t by J. S. Bach? Look no further.

New Series of Postcards from Erica: Cello Suites Beyond Bach

Bach’s Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello are some of the most iconic works ever written for the instrument—studied, performed, and loved by cellists worldwide. Composed in the early 18th century, likely during Bach’s time in Köthen (1717–1723), these suites became a cornerstone of the cello repertoire after Pau Casals’ landmark performances in the 20th century. Their influence has shaped generations of composers, inspiring the creation of many new cello suites.

This year, I’m exploring unaccompanied cello suites beyond Bach—some well-known, some newly written, all worth discovering. Whether you’re a cellist looking for fresh repertoire, a teacher seeking new material for students, or simply a listener eager to expand your horizons, these digital postcards will introduce you to a world of expressive unaccompanied cello music.

I’ll include key details about each piece, links to sheet music, and resources to help you find the perfect suite for your repertoire. I hope you enjoy this journey into cello suites beyond Bach as much as I enjoyed selecting them.

I also invite you to revisit my most recent series of postcards on unaccompanied cello works by Asian composers, read a quick round-up of my postcards featuring works by Black composers, my series featuring women composers, the series on Hispanic and Latino/Latina composers, or explore all of my postcards.

Postcard #1 – “Sephardic Suite” by Elaine Fine

I love the work in the first postcard this month: “Sephardic Suite” by Elaine Fine. It can be performed in its entirety or as individual movements. (Previously featured September 2020, Postcard #3)

• Title: Sephardic Suite
• Composer: Elaine Fine (1959- )
• Instrumentation: unaccompanied cello
• Year Composed: 2003
• Movements: Introduction; Endecha: O Madre mia; Veil Dance
• Duration of Work: (2’), (2:45), (2:07)
• Number of Measures: (44), (63), (68)
• Number of Pages: 5
• Tempo: (quarter note = 100), (quarter note = 52), (quarter note = 112-120)
• Difficulty Level: comparable to Suzuki Book 9 and up
• Highest Position Reached: thumb position
• Technique Employed: bass and tenor clefs; left-hand pizzicato; double stops; 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, and 9/8 time signatures
• Publisher: Seesaw Music
• Where to Purchase:  Sheet Music Plus
• Cost of Sheet Music*: $9.95
• Sheet Music for 1st Movement: https://thematiccatalog.blogspot.com/2007/06/sephardic-suite.html

Recording

Program Notes

A Sephardic dirge serves at the opening melody of the second movement. See introductory remarks before the music in the above video.

Cellist’s Guide

I love this work. It is so well-written that, like the Bach Suites, it can be revisited time and again. This is definitely a piece for the advanced player, both technically and musically. Double stops, thumb position, and rubato are employed in all movements, left-hand pizzicato appears in the Introduction and frequent meter changes occur in the Veil Dance.

The Suite can be performed in its entirety or as individual movements. The Introduction and Endecha are somber and work nicely in place of Kol Nidrei for Yom Kippur, while Veil Dance is almost frenetic and suitable for an encore.

Postcard #2 – “Comic Suite” by Joseph Jones (August 2022 #3)

The description accompanying the sheet music download says it all: “This 11 minute solo suite for cello is a fun romp! The title is a reflection of its inspiration: comedic poetry and drama. This work brings to a close the ‘poetic’ trilogy of suites, coupled with the ‘Lyric,’ Op. 26, and ‘Tragic,’ Op. 44. The four movements are: 1. Moderato 2. Andante Grazioso 3. Adagio 4. Allegretto.” (Previously featured August 2022, Postcard #3)

• Title: Comic Suite, Op. 45
• Composer: Joseph Jones
• Instrumentation: unaccompanied cello
• Year Published: 2020
• Movements: Moderato, Andante Grazioso, Adagio, Allegretto-Andante-Vivo
• Duration of Work: 11’’
• Number of Measures: 110, 62, 33, 114
• Number of Pages: 6
• Tempo: half = 60, 70; dotted quarter = 56; quarter = 50; quarter = 90, 108, quarter = 50, quarter =132
• Difficulty Level: advanced
• Highest Position Reached: thumb position
• Technique Employed: bass, tenor, treble clefs; 6/8, 2/4, cut, 4/4 time; pizzicato; double, triple, and quadruple stops; false harmonics, sul tasto, trills, glissandos
• Publisher: Sheet Music Plus
• Where to Purchase: Sheet Music Plus
• Cost of Sheet Music*: $25

Recordings

First movement:

PROGRAM NOTES

As a composer, Mr. Jones’ works have been performed in the United States, and Europe. He has written a wide variety of music, including art song, solo instrumental, chamber music, choral, concertante, chamber, string, and full orchestra, oratorio, and opera. Most recently, he was the first prize-winner in the call for scores held by Music of the Unsung America in Miami, giving the premiere of his Second Symphony for String Orchestra in April 2021. – Composer’s website

CELLIST’S GUIDE

At first glance, Comic Suite appears to be written for the intermediate cellist. Upon reading the piece, I discovered false harmonics, thirds, intricate passages with numerous accidentals and rapid string crossings. Though not stunningly difficult, Comic Suite requires that the player have a fair amount of technique.

The first and last movements stand nicely on their own, giving the performer the choice of playing just a single outer movement or, time permitting, the entire piece.

This exuberant work is delightfully sarcastic in nature. Though it reminds me a bit of Prokofiev and Shostakovich, it is in no way derivative. I feel that this is a piece that audiences would enjoy, and I definitely plan on adding this to my repertoire.

Postcard #3 – “First Spanish Suite” by Rogelio Huguet y Tagell

More is known about the works of Catalan cellist and composer Rogelio Huguet y Tagell than about his personal circumstances. He studied at the Escola Municipal de Barcelona with Professor Josep Soler. After performing a concert tour abroad, he devoted himself entirely to composition. His many works include the suite Andalusian Scenes (for orchestra), the Nerina Overture, several sonatas and concert pieces for cello, and two operettas. (Previously featured April 2023, Postcard #3)

• Title: First Spanish Suite
• Composer: Rogelio Huguet y Tagell (20 October 1882 – 23 December 1956)
• Instrumentation: unaccompanied cello
• Year Published: 1938
• Movements: 3
• Duration of Work: 3:09, 2:52; 3:03
• Number of Measures: Aragonesa (136), Zarabanda (28), Flamenco (70)
• Number of Pages: 8
• Tempo: dotted half = 66, quarter = 46, eighth = 152
• Difficulty Level: advanced
• Highest Position Reached: thumb
• Technique Employed: bass, tenor, and treble clefs; 3/8 and 3/4 time signatures; double, triple, and quadruple stops; pizzicato, left hand pizzicato, grace notes
• Publisher: Editions Salabert
• Where to Purchase: Sheet Music Plus
  • Entire Suite – Sheet Music Plus
  • Flamenco only – Sheet Music Plus
• Cost of Sheet Music*: Entire Suite $19.95 (hard copy); Flamenco $10.99 (digital download)

RECORDINGS

PROGRAM NOTES

“Published in 1938, Rogelio Huguet y Tagell’s First Spanish Suite for Violoncello solo consists of three dance movements: Argonesa, Zarabanda, and Flamenco. The Argonesa, from the Argon region is a couples dance . . . the Sarabande evolved from a Spanish dance with Arab influences, danced by a lively double line of couples with castanets. A dance called zarabanda is first mentioned in 1539 in Central America in the poem Vida y tiempo de Maricastaña, written in Panama by Fernando de Guzmán Mejía . . . Flamenco, in its strictest sense, is an art form based on the various folkloric music traditions of southern Spain, developed within the gitano subculture of the region of Andalusia, and also having historical presence in Extremadura and Murcia. In a wider sense, the term is used to refer to a variety of both contemporary and traditional musical styles typical of southern Spain. Flamenco is closely associated to the gitanos of the Romani ethnicity who have contributed significantly to its origination and professionalization. However, its style is uniquely Andalusian and flamenco artists have historically included Spaniards of both gitano and non-gitano heritage.” – Wikipedia

CELLIST’S GUIDE

If you haven’t already heard this work, do yourself a favor and listen – it truly is enchanting. Though not terribly well known, it has gained popularity in recent years.

At first glance, the Suite seems quite readable, that is until you actually sightread it.

The first movement contains sudden, sporadic bow rocking interspersed with vertical left-hand flourishes, which, in theory, should sound effortless.

The Sardana is filled with thumb position double stops moving up and down the cello, and 3rds in the lower positions thrown in for good measure.

The final movement is laden with double, triple, and quadruple stops, frequently while dancing lightly on the string.

Each section could really serve as a small etude. Kudos to those who make this appear easy!

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