Bach maintained a balance between tradition and experimentation in his works, reinterpreting French and Italian predecessors from his own 'Central German' perspective.
Compositional Technique
In the English Suites, Bach expands the scale of the preludes, interweaving dance-like themes into extended fugues infused with elements of the Italian solo concerto.
Performer Biography
Jonathan Ferrucci, the Italian-Australian pianist, integrates Ashtanga Yoga into his artistic process, viewing music and yoga as parallel practices united by focus, patience, and openness.
Composition History
The title 'English Suites' is a mystery; Bach's son Johann Christian wrote 'Fait pour les Anglois' ('made for the English'), and a scholar noted they were for an English nobleman, but no dedication exists.
Composition History
The English Suites were most likely composed during Bach's years as Kapellmeister to Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen (1717-1723), a Reformed court with little demand for sacred vocal music.
Interpretation
Jonathan Ferrucci, the pianist on this recording, aims to balance the 'profane' dance energy and 'spiritual' compositional art in Bach's English Suites.
Compositional Technique
Bach rigorously fixed the sequence of dance movements in the English Suites to the standard order of Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue, only alternating in the dances preceding the Gigue.
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