Cello Suite No. 6 in D major, BWV 1012
by Johann Sebastian Bach
The final and most technically demanding of the six suites, likely written for a five-stringed instrument (viola pomposa or violoncello piccolo). The addition of a high E string allows passages in the soprano register that are extremely challenging on a standard four-string cello. The Prelude is a virtuosic showpiece, and the Gavottes are joyful and dance-like.
Editions
Henle Verlag
Egon Voss, 2000
Urtext with notes on the five-string instrument question. Part of the complete suites volume.
Bärenreiter
Bettina Schwemer & Douglas Woodfull-Harris, 2012
Critical edition with extensive discussion of the intended instrument and tuning.
International Music Company
Leonard Rose, 1950
Practical edition with Rose's fingerings adapted for four-string cello. Standard American pedagogical edition.