Britten: Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72 (arr. Harb)

This is an arrangement for classical guitar of the haunting Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72 in nine movements by Benjamin Britten, one of the three cello suites he wrote and dedicated to the cellist Mstislav Rostropovich. Here I am performing the first movement “Canto Primo“ and the fifth movement “Serenata“. You can navigate to either movement easily using the time stamps below: 0:10 - I. Canto Primo 2:13 - V. Serenata Full score for guitar of this complete Cello Suite can be bought from my online store: This arrangement has been in the works for quite a while now and I have adapted it meticulously to make certain that it sounds convincing on the guitar. Some key changes were necessary for the arrangement to work and tuning the 6th E string down to D helped expand the range. It works surprisingly well on the guitar even though some extended techniques had to be employed, such as the left-hand tapping technique in the eighth movement titled “Bordone“. I find that it works well to couple it with Britten’s “Nocturnal“, if one decides to program their concert or recording using Britten’s music. I hope you enjoy it! Guitar: Martin Blackwell, double cedar top and Brazilian rosewood back and sides, 2019 Strings: Savarez, 540 CR Guitar support: Murata Camera: Sony a6400 Mics used: Rode NT55 Condenser Microphones Tariq Harb teaches at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada: Online store: