SACRED SYMMETRY: Henrik Dam Thomsen plays Bach’s Cello Suite No. 2

For Henrik Dam Thomsen, solo cellist in Danish National Symphony Orchestra, the Bach cello suites are an integral part of his life, just as they are for all top-flight cellists.

“When one plays the suites, one is obliged to undertake many choices with regard to all the knowledge about Baroque music now available.” Thomsen felt it was important to remain true to his own instrument and perform on his regular cello, a Francesco Ruggieri built in 1680, using modern strings, played with a conventional bow. These choices ensured the best homogeneity for the suites as a whole. The suites were recorded in the burnished acoustics of the Baroque Garnisons Church (Garnisons Kirke) in Copenhagen. The Cello Concerto No. 2 is now available as audio-visual recording, beautifully captured in one of the most iconic modern Danish Churches.