This is the fifth suite in the set of Six Suites for Solo Cello by Ajibola Rivers, written in Bb Minor. The theme of Suite V is “Investigation”. Generally, cellists encounter more sharp keys than flat keys and it is pretty rare for them to play music with this many flats. It is important, however, for modern cellists to be equipped with all the tools they need to succeed in the music world they live in, and the main purpose of this suite was to help accustom players to reading these notes and navigating the areas of the instrument in which those notes sit. Perhaps a side effect of the unusual key, this suite has an inquisitive quality that sets it apart from the others. Suite V features Baroque counterpoint infused with dances such as the Salsa, Shuffle, and Tango among others.
This music was composed with the intention of expanding upon the foundation created by Johann Sebastian Bach’s Six Suites for Solo Cello. In lieu of scordatura, its rhythmic elements, expanded use of chords, wide range of notes, and pizzicato provide a comparable level of technical difficulty compared to Bach’s fifth cello suite. If a player is seeking an entry point, the Cha-Cha-Chá, the Blues, and Swing Waltz I & II are the most accessible movements in this suite.
Suite No. 5 for Solo Cello
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