Despite over 200 years of research, the exact dating of many of Bach's works, including these suites, remains challenging because most were copied by others, not by Bach himself.
Historical Context
The 'French overture' form, used by Bach, was developed in the mid-17th century by Jean-Baptiste Lully, the court composer to King Louis XIV, who famously died from a conducting injury.
Performer Biography
Lars Ulrik Mortensen, the conductor on this album, is a harpsichordist and conductor who received Denmark's most prestigious music award, the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, in 2007.
Performer Biography
Concerto Copenhagen, the Danish National Baroque Orchestra on this recording, was founded in 1991 and has become Scandinavia's leading baroque orchestra.
Cultural Impact
Bach's orchestral suites contain some of his most popular melodies, including the 'Badinerie' from Suite No. 2, often used as a TV signature tune, and the 'Air on the G-string' from Suite No. 3.
Compositional Technique
Bach's overtures, also known as orchestral suites, each begin with an 'overture in the French manner'—a stately movement with dotted rhythms, followed by a fast fugal section.
Interpretation
This recording performs Bach's orchestral suites without trumpets and timpani, reflecting recent research suggesting they were originally written much earlier and later adapted for larger forces.
