Classical Music | Piano Music

Recorded on 09/05/2006, uploaded on 01/11/2009

Musician's or Publisher's Notes

English Suite No. 3 in g minor, BWV 808      Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude; Allemande; Courante; Sarabande; Gavotte I; Gavotte II (ou la Musette); Gigue

Bach wrote 3 major sets of suites for keyboard-the French suites, the English suites and the Partitas-all based on dances. The English suites all begin with a Prelude and in general feature somewhat larger structures than the French suites. The dramatic and energetic opening of the g minor suite is in ritornello form in the manner of an Italian concerto. 

Of special interest in this particular Suite is the Sarabande.  Bach used repeat signs in many of the suite movements and expected performers to add embellishments the second time through.  Books have been written on authentic ornamentation and what is and is not stylistically appropriate to include in these repeated sections.  The Sarabande of Suite No. 3 is fascinating because Bach actually wrote out the embellished repeated section for both parts of the Sarabande, giving performers and musicologists a primary look at Baroque ornamentation.    Stephen Beus

Courtesy of International Music Foundation.