BACH ‘CELLO SUITES
TRANSCRIBED FOR THE HORN
Yo-Yo Ma
PREVIEW KATZEN’S ’CELLO SUITES
SUITE I
Prelude
SUITE II
Allemande
SUITE III
Courante
SUITE IV
Sarabande
SUITE V
Gavotte
SUITE VI
Gigue
SUITE VI
Sarabande
In Katzen's own words, excerpted from the Bach ‘Cello Suites CD liner notes:
“Ever since the mid-20th century, when Wendell Hoss transcribed for horn the legendary Suites for ‘Cello Solo by J.S. Bach (BWV 1007-1012), horn players the world over have been drawn to the allure of making this music our own.
The biggest challenge for French horn players working on the Bach ‘Cello Suites is that we are using a melodic, one-note-at-a-time instrument. The chords Bach chose—for emphasis or added colors—are among the most interesting facets of these pieces, and we do a great disservice to them if we play from only a melodic, horn-based viewpoint. Much can be learned in grappling with where to breathe, and which double- and triple-stop notes to play, by analyzing the lines and harmonies implied in the original key’s 'cello parts.
Over the decades that I’ve been playing the Suites, I have never ceased to be awed by their difficulty and mystery, and the out-of-body experience of being part of the messenger of the music and not its creator. Poring over the myriad notes and the plethora of interpretation options leads one to delve deeper into the music, in an almost architect-like fashion, searching for structural directions and their obvious conclusions.”
COMPARE TRANSCRIPTIONS: HOSS VS KATZEN
HOSS
KATZEN
ABOUT
PERFORMANCES
Daniel Katzen is a recitalist, chamber musician, clinician, and soloist who has appeared in 22 states and 25 countries in 5000 performances and master classes. He was Second Horn in the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) from April 1979 to August 2008 and can be heard on all recordings with the BSO and the Boston Pops from 1979–2000. The Boston Globe reported on "the legend of Daniel Katzen" after he auditioned for 48 different orchestras before finally landing his position with the BSO in 1979. During that time, he played with the Chicago Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Israel Chamber Orchestra, and various orchestras around Europe.
His personal magnum opus is his decades-long project of transcribing, studying, performing—and ultimately recording—all six of the famous Bach 'Cello Suites. As described by YoYo Ma: "Daniel Katzen’s Bach 'Cello Suites recording is an act of extreme courage and musicianship. He has accomplished the impossible. Wow!"
FILM
He has performed and recorded with various film studios, notably under the direction of John Williams. He can be heard in the soundtracks for Schindler's List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Pearl Harbor, Saving Private Ryan, Nixon, and Jumanji, among others.
TEACHING
Daniel Katzen was a faculty member at Boston University and the New England Conservatory from 1980–2008, and at CalArts from 2000–2007. He ran the Brass Orchestral Repertoire Class at New England Conservatory from 1996-2008. Upon retirement from the Boston Symphony in 2008, he became a Professor of Horn at the University of Arizona's Fred Fox School of Music in Tucson until 2019. He now resides in Southern California, where he teaches select private students.
EDUCATION
Master of Music, Northwestern University under Dale Clevenger
Bachelor of Music with Distinction, from Indiana University under Philip Farkas and Michael Höltzel
Honors Degree, Eastman School of Music, Preparatory School with continuing studies under Morris Secon and Milan Yancich
REVIEWS
Daniel Katzen performing with the Boston Symphony in 1985
“Daniel Katzen’s Bach ‘Cello Suites recording is an act of extreme courage and musicianship. He has accomplished the impossible. Wow!”
Yo-Yo Ma
“...I was impressed with his technique and musical abilities...as well as the consistency and accuracy with which he played... In the 20-plus years I’d worked with Mr. Katzen, these qualities only improved...a reliable asset to the Boston Symphony Orchestra.”
Seiji Ozawa
Former Music Director, Boston Symphony Orchestra Kennedy Center Honors Laureate
“Mr. Katzen is an experienced, talented, and dedicated horn player with a firm grasp of the different styles and demands necessary to perform and record...his copy work and teaching method are original and very effective...a solid professional in every way...of high standard both personally and professionally.”
John Williams
Conductor Laureate, Boston Pops Orchestra
“Daniel Katzen blows a mean shofar.”
Renee Claire
Reporter, The Arizona Jewish Post
“Excited eyes, arms raised and clamoring to ask a question... (These were Daniel Katzen’s students) in our in-school programs, pre-concert, and master class at Tanglewood. Students would understand instantly that Daniel loves being a musician, and they would soon know all about the French horn, the rigors of becoming and being a professional musician, and how important music and the arts are to every facet of their lives.”
Myran Parker-Brass
Former Director of Education and Community ProgramsBoston Symphony Orchestra
PRESS
Peter Chapman (trumpet), Daniel Katzen, and Ron Barron (trombone) break into jazz instead of taking a final bow at their farewell performance with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2008
“(Katzen’s) ease in bridging the several registers of his instrument, and in particular his solidity at the very bottom of the well of possibility, was remarkable; still more remarkable was his ability to spin out a thoroughly musical line rich in harmonic implication.”
The Boston Globe
Fearless Daniel Katzen tackles treacherous program
By Richard Dyer
“Daniel Katzen blows a mean shofar.”
Arizona Jewish Post
UA horn master got start with Israeli orchestra
By Renee Claire
LESSONS
Professor Katzen teaching a Brass Orchestral Reportoire class at the Fred Fox School of Music, University of Arizona.
He accepts a few students each year. Contact him at info@dkmusic.biz for more information.
“Mr. Katzen's copy work and teaching method are original and very effective.”
John Williams
Conductor Laureate, Boston Pops Orchestra
(Katzen's students) “would soon know all about the French horn, the rigors of becoming and being a professional musician, and how important music and the arts are to every facet of their lives.”
Myran Parker-Brass
Former Director of Education and Community ProgramsBoston Symphony Orchestra
CONTACT
You can reach Daniel Katzen at info@dkmusic.biz for more information.