History of BWV 

 

Bach Suites & Comedic Musical Stories

The music of Bach has a universal appeal with its own story that is intimate and approachable. Dobbs began his lifelong journey of playing the beloved Six Solo Cellos Suites by J.S. Bach on the much larger double bass in 1967. Extensive experimentation with scordatura (non-standard) tunings of the bass allowed him to play them as written and achieve the ringing, free (open-string) chords not possible on the standard bass. In 2002, Dobbs’ debut performance in Dublin, Ireland of all Six Cello Suites inspired the Irish poet Macdara Woods to write The Cello Suites, a series of six poems to accompany each Suite. In 1984, Dobbs began composing works for solo bass/narrator which are sometimes embellished with props, sound effects and slides. These One Man Show works combine Dobbs’ virtuosity on the double bass with his gift for storytelling, fashioning hilarious and touching musical tales. As a part of the Playing For Peace tours, which began in 1992, Dobbs translated his musical stories into numerous languages to be accessible to audiences around the world. New comedic stories continue to be written, inspired by tales from around the world.

 

Solo Concerts

Combining his passions, Dobbs developed his solo program to incorporate one of Bach's Solo Cello Suites and two to three comedic musical stories He plays for a wide-range of audiences. A series of dances, the pace of Bach’s Solo Cello Suites allows listeners time to reflect and enjoy the magnificent power and resonance of the double bass.  The calming almost mesmerizing effect is dramatic and being followed by laughter warms and inspires the spirit in unexpected ways.  This music (especially to first-time listeners in traumatic situations) fills audiences with joy and introspection where social plights have left communities empty. At these moments, we are reminded that musical experience is not a luxury, but an essential part of our humanity  which has the unique ability to transcend all boundaries. BWV aims to bring this show to the greatest number of audiences around the world where the live musical experience can have a profound impact.

 

Concert Tour Projects

Utilizing Dobbs’ solo format allows BWV to successfully provide a high-quality, intimate concert program in locations where access can be challenging. Where appropriate, Dobbs has been joined by guest musicians and collaborated with music students for his performances. In 2004, BWV began presenting Dobbs’ concert of Bach and stories in schools throughout New Hampshire. Soon he began performing in prisons and youth development centers. Performances in Maine inspired local residents to develop music programming at their youth facility. In 2005, the Prison Concert Project expanded to Connecticut and California, to New York in 2008, to Vermont in 2009 and to Michigan in 2013. The project serves over 25 facilities annually.

 

In 2005, BWV began presenting Dobbs on tour in Palestine in collaboration with                          , a center which provides free music lessons for refugee kids. Concerts for schools in refugee camps inspire children to get involved with music, while public performances bring together local residents where they would not otherwise gather. Dobbs’ performances have also touched the participants of the Circus Behind the Wall, the Freedom Theater and the Computer Clubhouse. Since then he has returned in 2006 2007 2009 2014 2016 2018 2020 and 2024

 

In 2006, Dobbs was invited by the Foundation for Culture and a Civil Society to participate in the New Year’s Music Festival in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, the largest musical event since the fall of the Taliban, which had prohibited music of any kind. Hosted by various NGOs including WADAN and American Friendship Foundation as well as the National Institute of Music in Afghanistan, Dobbs has returned numerous times to perform in non-formal schools, orphanages and drug rehab centers presenting concerts and masterclasses. Sadly this program we cut short  by the return of the Taliban. But hopefully music will return to Afghanistan one day.

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In 2010, invited by the National Youth Orchestra of South Africa he played for Aids Orphans as well as some elder homes.

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In 2010 He went to Iraq to work with the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq. He returned in 2011 and organized a committee of orchestra members to organize tours for him. With funding from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in 2012, Dobbs presented 25 concerts in schools and community centers throughout Baghdad and the Kurdistan region in collaboration with local Iraqi musicians.  Concert tours to Kurdistan in 2014 2018 2021 and 2023have followed.

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Also inn 2010, invited by the National Youth Orchestra of South Africa he played for Aids Orphans as well as some elder homes.

 

In 2012, our programs expanded to Uganda, where Dobbs’ performed for rescued street children in schools and orphanages in collaboration with Dwelling Places. In 2015 and 2017 He performed in prisons around the country.

 

​In 2013 He returned to Bolivia to play in six villages on the Altiplano where he had performed in 1969. This tour was filmed and became the PBS program "Back to Bolivia a lifetime later" 

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