Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Ewa Mrowca
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Dux
Catalogue: DUX1759-60
Release: 2022
Size: 2.44 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
French Suite No. 4 in E-flat Major, BWV 815
01. I. Allemande
02. II. Courante
03. III. Sarabande
04. IV. Gavotte
05. V. Air
06. VI. Menuet
07. VII. Gigue
French Suite No. 2 in C minor, BWV 813
08. I. Allemande
09. II. Courante
10. III. Sarabande
11. IV. Air
12. V. Menuetts I & II
13. VI. Gigue
French Suite No. 6 in E major, BWV 817
14. Ia. Prélude
15. Ib. Allemande
16. II. Courante
17. III. Sarabande
18. IV. Gavotte
19. V. Menuet polonais
20. VI. Bourrée
21. VII. Gigue
22. VIII. Petit menuet
CD 02
French Suite No. 5 in G major, BWV 816
01. I. Allemande
02. II. Courante
03. III. Sarabande
04. IV. Gavotte
05. V. Bourrée
06. VI. Loure
07. VII. Gigue
French Suite No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812
08. I. Allemande
09. II. Courante
10. III. Sarabande
11. IV. Menuetts I & II
12. V. Gigue
French Suite No. 3 in B minor, BWV 814
13. I. Allemande
14. II. Courante
15. III. Sarabande
16. IV. Anglaise
17. V. Menuetts I & II
18. VI. Gigue
DUX presents here the six Bach’s suites for harpsichord, called “French Suites”, in a new beautiful interpretation.
This series of works, highly appreciated by experts and music lovers, has survived to our times in numerous copies prepared by the students and epigones of the Master from Leipzig. He himself probably did not even plan to create such a cycle, nor did he use its current name. These works were initially to serve as a study of the genre to improve the artistic taste and the harpsichord performance, among others, of the second wife of the composer – Anna Magdalena Bach. The French performance style, which became popular in this part of Europe in the time of Bach, was well-known to the composer thanks to his extensive musical contacts. The form of suite, consisting of a series of stylized court dances, perfectly suited the harpsichord texture, and the result were artistic and at the same time light compositions, corresponding to the tastes of both 17th-century connoisseurs and today’s lovers of beautiful music.
The suites on this recording are performed by Ewa Mrowca, an outstanding Polish harpsichordist, awarded and distinguished for her artistic achievements on a number of occasions, currently cooperating with the Academy of Music in Łódź and the Academy of Music in Cracow as well as with early music ensembles.