Friday, September 26, 2025, at the Parish Hall of Saint Mary Magalen Church, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley, at 6.30
William Skeen plays Bach’s Suites for Solo Cello, Part II
We are delighted to start Barefoot’s 2025-2026 season with local cello hero William Skeen playing Bach again, but this time featuring the three suites he didn’t play last year.
This year’s concert will feature the first suite in C major, the fifth suite in g minor, and the sixth suite in D major (BWV #s 1007, 1011, and 1012).
Bach wrote these pieces in the first quarter of the 18th century, and they have remained a cornerstone of the repertoire for cello for three hundred years, as well as some of the finest examples of Bach’s instrumental genius.
Mr. Skeen is Principal Cellist with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and was Principal Cellist of the American Bach Soloists for nearly two decades. He is a founding member of the New Esterházy Quartet, the Cantata Collective, and La Monica. In addition to his teaching, William has appeared as soloist with countless orchestras in the U. S and internationally, and has toured and recorded with many early music ensembles including The Smithsonian Chamber Players, Musica Pacifica, El Mundo, Agave, Galanterie, Con Gioia, the New Esterházy Quartet, La Monica, and Philharmonia Chamber Players.
William Skeen performs with his two baroque celli: a Giovanni Grancino from 1725, and an anonymous Italian five-string cello from the 1680s. The sixth of Bach’s suites was specifically written for a five-string ‘cello, and Bach uses the open strings at the top of the instrument spectacularly.
6.30 pm in the Parish Hall of Saint Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman, Berkeley.
Please enter the Hall from the parking lot (go down the entry ramp 50 yards East of the Church on Berryman), and then down a flight of stairs to the West of the parking area.
Admission $25 (no one turned away for lack of funds).
You can reserve a seat in advance by email to info@barefootchamberconcerts.com, and pay at the door.