Description
The 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 grandiose character, each commencing with a prelude in a concertante style. 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 remains reliable due to 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 the performer within the musical text. Additionally, this new edition features contributions from another Bach expert, Ekaterina Derzhavina, whose meticulously crafted fingerings will assist players in navigating the intricate landscape of Bach’s English Suites.
