Bach: Suites anglaises (Alpha Collection)

Featuring

Blandine Rannou
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Compositional Technique

Bach's ornaments in the 'English' Suites stratify the sonic complex and often result in a progressive liberation of the melodic line as they become more abundant.

Composition History

Some of the 'English' Suites were copied by Heinrich Nikolaus Gerber, a student of Bach from 1724, suggesting a pedagogical purpose for these works.

Composition History

Johann Sebastian Bach composed the 'English' Suites during his time in Köthen (1717-1723), where he focused exclusively on instrumental music due to the Calvinist court's restrictions on religious music.

Instruments

Blandine Rannou performs on a harpsichord made in 1985 by Anthony Sidey and Frédéric Bal, which is a copy after a Ruckers-Hemsch instrument from 1636-1763.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Bach's 'English' Suites represent an intersection of practical playing and compositional writing, serving as both answers to these questions and the means to transmit them.

Compositional Technique

A surprising addition to Suites II and III of Bach's 'English' Suites is an ornamented version of the Sarabande, identified as 'les agréments de la même sarabande' (the ornaments to the same Sarabande).