Bach: The French Suites

CDA67121/2

Recording details: August 1995
Beethovensaal, Hannover, Germany
Produced by Otto Ernst Wohlert
Engineered by Ludger Böckenhoff
Release date: November 1995
DISCID: 5C111F1B 2F123B26
Total duration: 149 minutes 24 seconds

GRAMOPHONE EDITOR'S CHOICE

'Hewitt's playing makes Bach's music live, for me, in a way that even the greatest harpsichordists do not' (The Sunday Times)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

The French Suites

Angela Hewitt (piano)

Buy by post £26.98Show download options

2CDs

LISTEN TO ALL EXTRACTS

		Sonata in D minor BWV964
CD1	1	Movement 1: Adagio [3'17]
	2	Movement 2: Fuga. Allegro [6'03]
	3	Movement 3: Andante [4'02]
	4	Movement 4: Allegro [5'00]
		French Suite No 1 in D minor BWV812
	5	Movement 1: Allemande [3'08]
	6	Movement 2: Courante [2'14]
	7	Movement 3: Sarabande [3'51]
	8	Movement 4: Menuet I and II [3'08]
	9	Movement 5: Gigue [2'54]
		French Suite No 2 in C minor BWV813
	10	Movement 1: Allemande [2'53]
	11	Movement 2: Courante [2'00]
	12	Movement 3: Sarabande [3'38]
	13	Movement 4: Air [1'19]
	14	Movement 5: Menuet I and II [3'36]
	15	Movement 6: Gigue [2'32]
		French Suite No 3 in B minor BWV814
	16	Movement 1: Allemande [2'56]
	17	Movement 2: Courante [2'25]
	18	Movement 3: Sarabande [3'18]
	19	Movement 4: Anglaise [1'29]
	20	Movement 5: Menuet and Trio [3'39]
	21	Movement 6: Gigue [1'58]
	22	Prelude in C major BWV924 [0'59]
	23	Prelude in G minor BWV930 [2'12]
	24	Prelude in D major BWV925 [0'58]
	25	Prelude in D minor BWV926 [1'10]
	26	Prelude in F major BWV927 [0'30]
	27	Prelude in F major BWV928 [1'20]
CD2	1	Prelude in C major BWV933 [1'36]
	2	Prelude in C minor BWV934 [2'09]
	3	Prelude in D minor BWV935 [1'31]
	4	Prelude in D major BWV936 [2'11]
	5	Prelude in E major BWV937 [1'31] English Français Deutsch
	6	Prelude in E minor BWV938 [1'43]
	7	Prelude in C major BWV939 [0'37]
	8	Prelude in D minor BWV940 [0'54]
	9	Prelude in E minor BWV941 [0'42]
	10	Prelude in A minor BWV942 [0'38]
	11	Prelude in C major BWV943 [1'39]
	12	Prelude in C minor BWV999 [1'26]
		French Suite No 4 in E flat major BWV815
	13	Movement 1: Praeludium [1'23]
	14	Movement 2: Allemande [2'39]
	15	Movement 3: Courante [1'51]
	16	Movement 4: Sarabande [2'53]
	17	Movement 5: Gavotte I [1'16]
	18	Movement 6: Gavotte II [2'42]
	19	Movement 7: Menuet [1'02]
	20	Movement 8: Air [1'44]
	21	Movement 9: Gigue [2'12]
		French Suite No 5 in G major BWV816
	22	Movement 1: Allemande [2'51]
	23	Movement 2: Courante [1'37]
	24	Movement 3: Sarabande [5'11]
	25	Movement 4: Gavotte [1'13]
	26	Movement 5: Bourrée [1'17]
	27	Movement 6: Loure [2'08]
	28	Movement 7: Gigue [3'29]
		French Suite No 6 in E major BWV817
	29	Movement 1: Allemande [2'34]
	30	Movement 2: Courante [1'33]
	31	Movement 3: Sarabande [3'24]
	32	Movement 4: Gavotte [1'13]
	33	Movement 5: Polonaise [1'27]
	34	Movement 6: Bourrée [1'20]
	35	Movement 7: Menuet [1'28]
	36	Movement 8: Gigue [2'14]
		Prelude and Fugue in A minor BWV894
	37	Movement 1: Prelude [5'28]
	38	Movement 2: Fugue [4'09]

The rhythms of the dance have always provided composers with a vital source of inspiration. Bach was no exception, and a very high percentage of his music is related to the dance. Perhaps this is largely what gives it that marvellous vitality and spirit, and why it is so immediately appealing. The six French Suites contain some of Bach’s most attractive keyboard writing. The eight Little Preludes are among the most valuable pieces ever written for beginners, giving a wonderful introduction to voice imitation, pedal points, cadenza-like passages, and basic ornamentation. They cover many different moods and recall fond childhood memories. The remaining pieces on this recording are of a completely different nature. Both the Sonata in D minor, BWV964, and the Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV894, are virtuoso pieces, intended to show off the ability of the performer. Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt is the acknowledged master of Bach on the piano.

Other albums in this series