Cello Suite No.2 in D Minor, BWV 1008 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) for classical guitar. PDF sheet music arranged for classical guitar. Includes both a notation-only edition and a tab edition. Movements in this suite: Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuets, Gigue. Left hand fingering and tuning is for Drop D Tuning (tune the 6th string down to D). This is a PDF download.
My PDF Sheet Music Edition
The overall level in terms of scope and fingering it is advanced but varies for each movement. The technique requirement is late-intermediate and much more sparse than the lute suites. However, some stretches and constant intensity encourage me to rate it as advanced.
The notation style used in this edition is based the cello score from the Bach-Gesellschaft edition and the manuscript by Anna Magdalena Bach. It is essentially the cello score presented in treble clef with small modernizations. I have not added additional notes unless needed and have not separated the music into multi-voice textures. The aim is an authentic reading of the cello music on guitar. I’ve added some slurs but mainly in connection with sequenced motifs or where it facilitates legato.
I played this work 20 years ago right from the bass clef cello music. I’ve never stopped hearing it in this register and key. The overall aesthetic is an enhanced cello performance with extra sustain and more realized implied-counterpoint and voicing but not to the extent of lute or keyboard arrangements.
Performance Videos
Here are the YouTube Links if you want to watch them there: Complete Video (Above), or Separately below Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Menuets, Gigue.
Overview Lesson & Info
About my edition and interpretation – In the below video I discuss my approach to the edition as well as my interpretation for the performance videos. Here’s the YouTube Link if you want to watch it there.
Samples and Promo
Wonderful. Such feeling. Nicely done. I’ve purchased my copy!
Perfect! Bach is so interesting to listen to. So much of his music is like he’s sitting there speaking to me.
Did you ever consider selling a book series consisting of Bach works that go from beginner level to advanced, broken up into one or two grades each? I would be very interested in that series. I like mixing up my practice sessions including different authors’ books at my current grade, sometimes trying pieces too hard for me to play, fingering exercises, etc. Jumping ahead to challenge myself gives me something to look forward to. If you ever sell the progressive Bach series I bet that would be very popular. And you might consider doing series for other composers you like. Just a thought.