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BACH – Air (from the Orchestral Suite No.3) – FOUR CELLOS

Other Identification:
Bach’s “Air” is the second, and most famous, movement of his Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D major, BWV 1068. While its actual title is simply “Air,” it’s famously known as the “Air on the G string” because August Wilhelmj transcribed it for a single violin string. The piece features a lyrical, vocal-like melody, a “walking” bass line, and intricate string countermelodies, creating a sublime and tension-filled yet resolving sound through suspensions.

Movements or sections:
marked ‘Lento’

Instrumentation:
QUARTET OF FOUR CELLOS, OR LARGER CELLO ENSEMBLE/ORCHESTRA
Arranged by David Johnstone

2 PDFs:
1] – General Score
2] – All individual parts

Approximate difficulty:
Medium

Dedicatee of this presentation (if applicable):
The Cello Company (London)

Links (Audio – Visual), and known performances given by:
JS Bach – Air on the G String – Philadelphia Orchestra cellists

Cello “Air on the G String” By J.S. Bach – Schrello Classic

Bach – Air on the G String (arr. Johnstone) – Cellists and Double Basses of The Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas

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Johnstone Music has been performed by orchestras and conservatories worldwide, earning international recognition in cello repertoire.

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Personal

David Johnstone lives near Pamplona (Navarre, Spain) with his wife Rosa and their two “Spanglish” children, close to the Atlantic Pyrenees. The nearest international airport is Bilbao.

He is interested in world affairs, politics, animal rights, and most sports (including being a lifelong suffering Reading FC fan!). Also passionate about Celtic culture and genealogy, he has traced his ‘English’ family back to 1280, although Scotland and Ireland have also shaped his background. And yes — he is half-ashamed to admit it, he loves silly jokes!

Social Work

David Johnstone supports animal rights, he is against any form of abuse towards them, and says a loud “NO” to bullfighting, foxhunting and any other animal cruelty.

TORTURE IS NOT CULTURE !