Bach - English Suite no. 1 in A major BWV 806 - Zylberajch | Netherlands Bach Society

The quasi-improvised flourish that opens this ’English’ Suite no. 1 in A major, performed by Aline Zylberajch for All of Bach, sounds like an enthusiastic welcome and invitation. Bach starts off with a relatively short prelude that does not develop into a large-scale concerto, as in the other suites. It is followed by a boundless succession of short sections (ten in total, which is more than the other suites). One courante? No, two ! One double? No, two again! One bourrée then? Another two! This was a deliberate decision. An earlier version of the suite tells us that one of the two doubles (variations) of the second courante and the second bourrée were only added by Bach later on. It is no coincidence that this second bourrée is the only section in a minor key. Towards the end of the suite, Bach thus adds a dash of darker contrast to what is otherwise a radiant whole. Recorded for the project All of Bach on July 5th 2019 at the Bartolotti House, Amsterdam. If you w