J.S. Bach: Orchestral Suites No.1 - No.4

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Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Artists: Viruosi Saxoniae, Ludwig Guttler (conductor)

Can one ever tire of the dancing inspiration that animates these four portmanteau collections which have delighted both serious and casual listeners ever since Bach compiled them for use in social occasions as the 30-something Kapellmeister at the briefly enlightened court of Prince Leopold of Cöthen, exulting in the multifarious influences which he had absorbed and could place at the service of a compositional mind of unequalled intellectual brilliance yet always conscious of his music’s need to entertain, to give delight as well as accompany the sober thoughts of his congregations?

Not, at any rate, in these performances from a virtuoso German ensemble hailing from Bach’s own part of the world and masterminded by a superb trumpeter-turned-conductor who well understands the exuberant, public character of these suites, their occasional purposes, for all that in such moments as the famous Air from the G major Suite, No.3, they appear to take on a more confiding aspect, drawing the listener in before dispelling the tension with another jolly minuet or charming sarabande.

Bach’s Suites count among his most popular and most frequently performed works, they are quintessential Bach: majestic, noble, tender and full of energy. They contain some of Bach’s evergreens: the Air from the 3rd Suite and the Badinerie from the 2nd Suite.
Played by the Virtuosi Saxoniae conducted by trumpetist/conductor Ludwig Güttler, modern instruments in Historically Informed Performance Practice, the best of both worlds.

00:00:00 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: I. Ouverture
00:05:38 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: II. Courante
00:07:16 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: III. Gavotte No. 1 - Gavotte No. 2
00:09:43 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: IV. Forlane
00:11:00 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: V. Menuet No. 1 - Menuet No. 2
00:13:45 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: VI. Bourrée No. 1 - Bourrée No. 2
00:16:10 Suite in C Major, BWV 1066: VII. Passepied No. 1 - Passepied No. 2
00:19:20 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: I. Ouverture
00:25:45 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: II. Rondeau
00:27:25 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: III. Sarabande
00:30:18 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: IV. Bourrée No. 1 - Bourrée No. 2
00:32:09 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: V. Polonaise No. 1 - Polonaise No. 2
00:35:10 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: VI. Menuet
00:36:18 Suite in B Minor, BWV 1067: VII. Badinerie
00:37:45 Suite in D Major, BWV 1068: I. Ouverture
00:44:21 Suite in D Major, BWV 1068: II. Air
00:48:38 Suite in D Major, BWV 1068: III. Gavotte No. 1 - Gavotte No. 2
00:51:49 Suite in D Major, BWV 1068: IV. Bourrée
00:53:04 Suite in D Major, BWV 1068: V. Gigue
00:55:50 Suite in D Major, BWV 1069: I. Ouverture
01:02:39 Suite in D Major, BWV 1069: II. Bourrée No. 1 - Bourrée No. 2
01:05:32 Suite in D Major, BWV 1069: III. Gavotte
01:07:16 Suite in D Major, BWV 1069: IV. Menuet No. 1 - Menuet No. 2
01:10:45 Suite in D Major, BWV 1069: V. Réjouissance