Angela Hewitt - Bach: The French Suites, BWV 812-817 (1995)

Tracklist

CD1
01. Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964: I. Adagio
02. Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964: II. Fuga. Allegro
03. Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964: III. Andante
04. Sonata in D Minor, BWV 964: IV. Allegro
05. French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: I. Allemande
06. French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: II. Courante
07. French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: III. Sarabande
08. French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: IV. Menuet I – V. Menuet II
09. French Suite No. 1 in D Minor, BWV 812: VI. Gigue
10. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: I. Allemande
11. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: II. Courante
12. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: III. Sarabande
13. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: IV. Air
14. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: V. Menuet I – VI. Menuet II (BWV 813a)
15. French Suite No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 813: VII. Gigue
16. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: I. Allemande
17. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: II. Courante
18. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: III. Sarabande
19. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: IV. Anglaise
20. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: V. Menuet – Trio
21. French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: VI. Gigue
22. Prelude in C Major, BWV 924
23. Prelude in G Minor, BWV 930
24. Prelude in D Major, BWV 925
25. Prelude in D Minor, BWV 926
26. Prelude in F Major, BWV 927
27. Prelude in F Major, BWV 928

CD2
01. Prelude in C Major, BWV 933
02. Prelude in C Minor, BWV 934
03. Prelude in D Minor, BWV 935
04. Prelude in D Major, BWV 936
05. Prelude in E Major, BWV 937
06. Prelude in E Minor, BWV 938
07. Prelude in C Major, BWV 939
08. Prelude in D Minor, BWV 940
09. Prelude in E Minor, BWV 941
10. Prelude in A Minor, BWV 942
11. Prelude in C Major, BWV 943
12. Prelude in C Minor, BWV 999
13. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: I. Praeludium
14. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: II. Allemande
15. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: III. Courante
16. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: IV. Sarabande
17. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: Va. Gavotte I
18. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: Vb. Gavotte II
19. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: VI. Menuet
20. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: VII. Air
21. French Suite No. 4 in E-Flat Major, BWV 815a: VIII. Gigue
22. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: I. Allemande
23. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: II. Courante
24. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: III. Sarabande
25. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: IV. Gavotte
26. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: V. Bourrée
27. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: VI. Loure
28. French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816: VII. Gigue
29. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: I. Allemande
30. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: II. Courante
31. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: III. Sarabande
32. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: IV. Gavotte
33. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: V. Polonaise
34. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VI. Bourrée
35. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VII. Menuet
36. French Suite No. 6 in E Major, BWV 817: VIII. Gigue
37. Prelude & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 894: I. Prelude
38. Prelude & Fugue in A Minor, BWV 894: II. Fugue

The rhythms of the dance have always provided composers with a vital source of inspiration. Bach was no exception, and a very high percentage of his music is related to the dance. Perhaps this is largely what gives it that marvellous vitality and spirit, and why it is so immediately appealing. The six French Suites contain some of Bach’s most attractive keyboard writing. The eight Little Preludes are among the most valuable pieces ever written for beginners, giving a wonderful introduction to voice imitation, pedal points, cadenza-like passages, and basic ornamentation. They cover many different moods and recall fond childhood memories. The remaining pieces on this recording are of a completely different nature. Both the Sonata in D minor, BWV964, and the Prelude and Fugue in A minor, BWV894, are virtuoso pieces, intended to show off the ability of the performer. Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt is the acknowledged master of Bach on the piano.

All of the music on this album is also available as part of the specially priced box set Angela Hewitt plays Bach: 'A magnificent retrospective of Angela Hewitt’s achievement as a pianist in the keyboard works of J S Bach … this remarkable set of recordings marks something of a milestone for everyone involved with classical music, as well as for Hyperion' (MusicWeb International).

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