Learning the choreography, learning to accommodate and read the dancers has quite influenced how I play the third suite, of course - and I guess it's never the same twice in a row anyway! Also, how often does a cellist get to play a Bach Suite in four concerts back to back, for an appreciative audience most of whom have probably not heard a whole suite played in a live environment before? So very satisfying! Tonight a gentleman stopped me to tell me that I really moved him, and we also got a standing ovation from a lady in the front row. I don't think there could be better pay for the hard work than to know that we touched someone to tears.
I have so many favorite moments...the Sarabande, the solos in the Allemande when the rhythm ebbs and flows, the ending for the Gigue when the cutest of all little ballerinas curtsies to me...This part and that part that sounds like skipping or piruettes and they are totally doing it! All and all, it's a good weekend to be a cello player.