ACO cellist Melissa Barnard gives a sparkling performance of the Courante from Bach’s G Major Cello Suite, recorded on a south coast beach in New South Wales.

Melissa says of the work: “I took my cello to the beach to play some Bach… I’m not sure that Monsieur Vuillaume from Paris who made it could ever have imagined it played on the beach in Australia! But being outside in nature and by the ocean has been a happy escape from the confinement of these times.

The Courante from the G Major Suite is bright and cheerful and seems to complement the dancing of the wind, the waves and some small but vigorous locals on the beach. Thanks to my family for helping to make this video and I hope it’s a breath of fresh air for you.”