(2009) Suite For Lower Strings
Based on themes by BACH
Commissioned by the New Century Chamber Orchestra
Program Notes
“Suite for Lower Strings” (2009) is a five-movement fantasy on well-known themes by J.S. Bach. The work emphasizes the string section’s lower voices, such as the viola, cello, and bass. Typically in Baroque music, the melody was given to the higher instruments — but the suite, commissioned by the New Century Chamber Orchestra, was specifically tasked to showcase the often under-used lower instruments. Each of the suite’s short movements presents Bach’s popular and recognizable melodies, often varying and combining them with elements from twentieth-century styles.
Coming up
- December 8, 2026Suite For Lower Strings — Fairview High School OrchestraFairview High School Auditorium, Boulder
- December 12, 2026Pro Musica Columbus — PLAY!Southern Theatre, Columbus
Performance history
- February 1, 2026SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS | University of Reno, Nevada
- January 31, 2026Suite For Lower Strings | University of Reno
- February 24, 2024Clarice Assad • IN-PERSON UMD Wind Orchestra | AMAZÔNIA SEM LEI – Featuring violinist James Stern
- January 22, 2022SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS, GREENSVILLE SYMPHONY
- November 19, 2021Suite For Lower Strings
- October 11, 2021PRO MUSICA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (Suite For Lower Strings)
- August 12, 2021SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS – PRO MUSICA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
- January 23, 2021SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS – GREENVILLE SYMPHONY
- January 22, 2021SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS – GREENVILLE SYMPHONY
- January 19, 2020Suite For Lower Strings performed by the Hartford Symphony
- January 17, 2020Hartford Symphony will perform Assad\’s SUITE FOR LOWER STRINGS
- January 5, 2020Suite For Lower Strings – Boca Raton, FL.
- August 8, 2018Orquestra de Câmara Solistas de Londrina convida Clarice Assad