J.S. Bach: The Lute Suites

J.S. Bach's Lute Suites, which span his creative career, have long been favourites of classical guitarists. But Franz Halász's recording for BIS is a first. Halász's own transcriptions of the G minor and C minor suites maintain the original keys, rather than transposing them: this album is the first guitar recording to do so. The E major and E minor suites are performed in arrangements by Ansgar Krause.

Featuring

Franz Halász
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Composition History

Unlike Bach's unified cycles of works, the lute suites were conceived as independent compositions at various times in his career, ranging from youthful elan to serene maturity.

Compositional Technique

Bach's Suite BWV 995 is an arrangement of his Cello Suite No. 5, BWV 1011, made around 1725-30, with structural alterations that make it skilfully suited to the lute.

Cultural Impact

The Bourrée from Bach's Suite BWV 996 achieved cult status almost half a century ago through the interpretation of the rock group Jethro Tull.

Composer Biography

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) wrote a total of seven solo works for the lute, which are now standard repertoire for concert guitarists.

Compositional Technique

The fugue in Bach's Suite BWV 997 is a simultaneous double fugue, working with two subjects from the outset, rather than developing a single theme with a counter-subject.