Description
he term "English Suites," similar to "French Suites," was not coined by Bach himself. Unlike the six more intimate French Suites, Bach's English Suites present a more majestic character, each commencing with a prelude in a concertante manner. Two of the sarabandes exist in alternative versions that include embellishments by Bach, showcasing his aspiration for a virtuosic and lavish harpsichord style in these compositions.
Although there are no autograph manuscripts, the musical text of these works has been remarkably preserved and reliably transmitted through several contemporary manuscript copies. In this revised Urtext edition, Ullrich Scheideler has conducted a thorough examination of authentic variants, particularly concerning ornamentation. All findings are documented and made readily accessible to performers within the musical text. Additionally, this new edition features the expertise of another Bach specialist, Ekaterina Derzhavina, whose meticulously crafted fingerings will assist players in navigating the intricate landscape of Bach's English Suites.
