The third piece in the programme “Missing Masterpieces“ (King’s Place, London 24/03/13). Penelope Spencer and Lynda Sayce (lute) perform three movements from this major Suite.
Sylvius Leopold Weiss whose lute-playing was the glory of the Dresden Court, was a friend of Bach’s. He visited Leipzig in 1739 occasioning a contemporary to report that there was ’exceptionally fine’ music-making; and it may be that at this time Bach fashioned BWV 1025 by taking one of Weiss’ lute suites and arranging it, adding an enriching extra voice in the process.