on 1 June 2023

The sheer joy of being taken on a timeless and borderless journey through Bach’s solo cello suites! The instigator of our journey was Kian Soltani, one of the most talked about cellists performing today. Too good to be true? It was.

Kian’s Bach was like no other. Unapologetically bold and dynamic, honest to his heart but thought-provoking to the audience, he created his world of Bach, which he shared with the audience with zero hesitation. It was like he had swallowed the entire set of suites, processed them within, and then poured them all out for us – there was no stopping him! No repeat seemed to be the same, the profound harmonies and resonance were spine-tingling, and the twinkling ornamental decorations here and there certainly added character.

I cannot go through every movement of each suite, but here are some notable moments for me personally. With the minor key suites, if the Prelude of No.2 was soul-touching, that of No. 5, with deep passages of grieving, was soul-grabbing. While the Sarabande of No. 2 gently whispered sadness, there was a hint of light to reach. I shivered with the almost surreal sound of the cello listening to the Sarabande of No. 4.

The Prelude of Suite No. 3, bright and powerful, evoked a scene with the divine sun showering straight down at you so that t you couldn’t open your eyes. The recital climaxed with the radiant and triumphant suite No. 6, bursting into splendour.

I feel it not even necessary to mention Kian’s technical depth – it was simply there and the whole evening was built on it. It is worthwhile mentioning his amazing cello instrument, The London, ex Boccherini Antonio Stradivari cello. It had been worked on this week for him to perform a solely Bach programme this coming month, and what an incredible tone it produced.

Over two hours of music, but I was already longing to repeat the experience. The evening will be remembered simply as one of those magical evenings.