Max Reger’s Suite Nº 1 for violoncello solo and the writings of J.S. Bach

dependence relations and language identity

Authors

Keywords:

Max Reger, J.S. Bach, Suite for cello solo, Performance practices

Abstract

This article aims at demonstrating how Max Reger employs musical patterns of J. S. Bach as models for the construction of his Suite Op. 131c nº 1 for cello solo. Thus, in his compositions Reger combines harmonic elements from the end of the 19th century with contrapuntal techniques of J. S. Bach. The influence of the German master can be traced from the choice of tonalities to the use of motives, which are, in fact, expansions and transformations of “bachian” motifs. Consequently, this article discusses the compositional techniques employed by Reger in the Suite Op. 131c nº 1 for cello solo. It also draws a parallel between this particular composition and movements from J. S. Bach’s cello suites. Based on these premises, this work aims to support the performer in her/his musical decisions.

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Author Biographies

Ângela Maria Ferrari, University of Santa Maria (Brazil) - UFSM

Ângela Maria Ferrari, Associate Professor at the Music Department of the Federal University of Santa Maria is responsible for the implementation of the Bachelor of Cello in the institution. With a grant from CAPES Foundation, she studied for a Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Miami, winning the "Excellence in Academy" award at the end of her doctorate. She is frequently invited to participate in courses and orchestras as a teacher and instrumentalist. In 2010 and 2011 she was a guest teacher at the Music Festival of Londrina, PR. In 2003 she was awarded the "Virtuose Scholarship" given by the Ministry of Culture, thus attending the Cello Class of the renowned Bulgarian soloist and teacher Anatoly Krastev at the National Academy of Sofia - Bulgaria.

Felipe Avellar de Aquino, University of Paraíba (Brazil)

Felipe Avellar de Aquino is an Associate Professor at the Music Department of the Federal University of Paraíba, where he teaches Cello and Chamber Music. He was founder and first Coordinator of the Graduate Program in Music at UFPB. He earned a Master of Music degree (Cello) at Louisiana State University and a PhD at the Eastman School of Music (New York), as well as being a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Society of Pi Kappa Lambda. He has performed as a chamber musician and soloist in Brazil, Argentina, Italy, the United States and Canada. Besides his performance activities, he has developed research on cell technique and cell literature, with articles published in the magazines Opus, Per Musi and The Strad (England).

References

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Published

2015-06-10

How to Cite

Ferrari, Ângela Maria, and Felipe Avellar de Aquino. 2015. “Max Reger’s Suite Nº 1 for Violoncello Solo and the Writings of J.S. Bach: Dependence Relations and Language Identity”. Per Musi, no. 31 (June):1-18. https://periodicos.ufmg.br/index.php/permusi/article/view/38792.

Issue

No. 31 (2015): General Topics

Section

Articles in Portuguese/Spanish

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