Wolfgang Brunner - French Suites (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

CD1
01. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in D minor, BWV 812 - I - Allemande
02. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - I - Allemande
03. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in D minor, BWV 812 - II - Courante
04. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - II - Courante
05. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in D minor, BWV 812 - III - Sarabande
06. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - III - Sarabande
07. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in D minor, BWV 812 - IV - Menuet I – II – I
08. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - IV - Gavotte
09. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in D minor, BWV 812 - V - Gigue
10. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - V - Air
11. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E-flat major, BWV 815 - VI - Gigue

CD2
01. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - I - Allemande
02. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - I - Allemande
03. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - II - Courante
04. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - II - Courante
05. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - III - Sarabande
06. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - III - Sarabande
07. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - IV - Air
08. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - IV - Gavotte
09. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - V - Menuet
10. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - V - Bourrée
11. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in C minor, BWV 813 - VI - Gigue
12. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - VI - Loure
13. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in G major, BWV 816 - VII - Gigue

CD3
01. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - I - Allemande
02. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - I - Allemande
03. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - II - Courante
04. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - II - Courante
05. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - III - Sarabande
06. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - III - Sarabande
07. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - IV - Menuet
08. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - IV - Gavotte
09. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - V - Anglaise
10. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - V - Polonaise – Petit Menuet – Polonaise
11. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in B minor, BWV 814 - VI - Gigue
12. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - VI - Bourrée
13. Johann Sebastian Bach - Suite in E major, BWV 817 - VII - Gigue

The soundboard is painted with flowers, fruits, and animals and decorated with a typical light-blue ornamental border. Around the soundboard, the walls are adorned with block-printed wallpaper. The lid contains a landscape painting, which was added later, an idyllic stream landscape with four staffage figures: The observer watches a boy gazing intently into the water, a young woman carrying provisions or something similar home, and a couple, who are also only visible from behind. A bridge and a mill enliven the rural scene.” If the corresponding technical terms “soundboard,” “ornamental border,” or “lid” were missing, the reader would hardly associate this vivid, florid description with a keyboard instrument.

In such a manner, the renowned harpsichordist and expert in historical performance practice and basso continuo, Wolfgang Brunner, describes the instrument dated 1628 by Andreas Ruckers, from the Flemish harpsichord-making dynasty of the Ruckers family, which is heard on this recording featuring the six French Suites by J. S. Bach.