J.S.Bach - French Suites

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Published 2012-08-21
Andras Schiff - Piano
BWV 812 813 814 815 816 817
The French Suites, BWV 812--817, are six suites which Johann Sebastian Bach wrote for the clavier (harpsichord or clavichord) between the years of 1722 and 1725. The suites were later given the name 'French' (first recorded usage by Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg in 1762) as a means of contrast with the English Suites (whose title is likewise a later appellation). The name was popularised by Bach's biographer Johann Nikolaus Forkel, who wrote in his 1802 biography of Bach, "One usually calls them French Suites because they are written in the French manner." This claim, however, is inaccurate: like Bach's other suites, they follow a largely Italian convention.

There is no surviving definitive manuscript of these suites, and ornamentation varies both in type and in degree across manuscripts.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Suites_(Bach)

All Comments (21)
  • @o_polichinelo
    Bach French suite no.1 in D minor BWV 812 Allemande 00:30 Courante 03:44 Sarabande 05:29 Menuet I 07:54 Menuet II 08:54 Gigue 10:42 Bach French suite no.2 in C minor BWV 813 Allemande 12:50 Courante 16:01 Sarabande 17:47 Air 20:42 Menuet 22:08 Gigue 23:48 Bach French suite no.3 in B minor BWV 814 Allemande 25:42 Courante 28:44 Sarabande 30:31 Gavotte 33:12 Menuet 34:34 Trio 35:41 Menuet 36:37 Gigue 37:11 Bach French suite no.4 in E flat major BWV 815 Allemande 39:15 Courante 41:26 Sarabande 43:08 Gavotte 45:27 Air 46:34 Menuet 47:59 Gigue 48:40 Bach French suite no.5 in G major BWV 816 Allemande 50:51 Courante 53:53 Sarabande 55:25 Gavotte 59:39 Bourrée 01:00:50 Loure 01:01:56 Gigue 01:03:42 Bach French suite no.6 in E major BWV 817 Allemande 01:07:07 Courante 01:09:46 Sarabande 01:11:17 Gavotte 01:14:29 Polonaise 01:15:35 Menuet 01:17:00 Polonaise 01:17:58 Bourrée 01:18:39 Gigue 01:20:06
  • The fact this video has nearly 5 million views makes me feel relieved that people can still appreciate real music and a top quality performance when they hear it.
  • @simonpook9693
    Schiff wanders through the landscape of Bach's music in a state of sheer delight, familiarity and wonderment. His joy transcends all other thoughts as he is engulfed by Bach's magic and he communicates it to us without a trace of self-consciousness. No musician can do more.
  • @evanofelipe
    Andreas Schiff once said during an interview that he always starts every day by first playing a piece of Bach’s music regardless of whatever else he’s professionally required to perform. It says a lot about his regard for Bach but also explains why he plays so effortlessly with deep emotion and precision. We the audience are the beneficiaries of his devotion. Thanks Andreas.
  • Anyone who has performed Bach to a live audience understands the terror and wonder of this man getting up and, not only nailing them, but doing so without any visible apprehension and with such artistic grace.
  • @partypao
    1 hr 20m of Bachs music, played by memory without missing a single note. Perfect Performance!
  • Wonderful. I suffer from a stroke , gives me the will to live , to hear such sublimely. Beautiful music by the genius of harmony J, S. Bach I will survive if I can continue to listen Mike
  • As this man plays for 1hr 22mins in some form of musical trance...….the brilliance of humanity is revealed...….I am in awe.
  • @flamindigo
    I had never even heard of Andras Schiff before last week. I saw the video of him playing the English Suites, and now, the French Suites. He plays them from memory, in front of live audiences. He is perfect, almost like he is Bach making them up on the spot. - youtube is good for something. Saving these amaaaing performancds almost redeems them in my eyes.
  • @patrickdynes
    I listen to this frequently. Both the composer and performer are fabulous. How lucky we are to be alive and appreciate beauty.
  • Classical music isn't exclusive to professional musicians or music aficionados; it's for everyone. It can create a state of mind, stimulate creativity, and infuse beauty and art into our daily lives.
  • @pfau1960
    As with Schiff's live performance of the English Suites, I am in complete awe of his musicianship. His sense of the inner pulse of the music, his balancing of voices and his ability to make us grasp the structure of these works is without parallel. That he is able to do all this from memory only underscores how utterly Schiff inhabits these magnificent works. Bach's music never fails to exemplify the sense of balance, joy, and nuance to which every life should aspire.
  • @theclaverman
    Let me just remind us what an enormous musical capacity Andras Schiff really is: He actually plays the French Suites, English Suites, WTC (both book 1 & 2) and the Goldberg Variations + + ....all by memory. Deep Respect
  • @rachs57
    My cats lie silent, just mesmerized by the beauty of Bach's music and Schiff's playing.
  • @pedrosavaget
    Schiff is the most generous, magnificent, loving,, interpreter of Bach I've ever come across. Such genius, such gentletness. His interpretations have been part of my life ever since I've listened to them at first. Thank you Schiff, and of course.... thank you Bach.
  • @user-mt9yw1hb3g
    Que dire quand on entend autant de beauté, avec une maîtrise parfaite du toucher , de la musicalité dans le récit que le divin Maître Bach nous fait du monde de l'Esprit . Andras Schiff nous met dans une joie profonde . Merci à ces êtres exceptionnels .
  • @Sveccha93
    My favorite thing about Schiff is his ability to bring out the most beautiful moments with a little extra clarity or emphasis, showcasing the genius of the composer. The faster passages in this recording are so gorgeous.
  • @bjcoch1870
    This is from the "Bachfest" where he played on 09 June 2010 in the Nikolaikirche (St Nicolas Church) in Leipzig, Germany. I had the privilege to be there. Will never forget his marvelous playing.
  • What a phenomenon - beyond our understanding, but so be it - that our awareness, our understanding of Bach's music keeps evolving. I loved listening years ago to Rosalyn Tureck, then fell head over heels with Glenn Gould. Since I heard him in his New York Debut at the Grace Rainey Rogers auditorium, I have been amazed at every moment that Andras Schiff has shared with us his Bach, and the amazing part of all this is that his interpretations keep evolving. What we were grateful years ago, is even more of a gift today. Listening to this great musician bringing us Bach is the deepest spiritual experience. Just try listening to the September 7th WTC from Royal Albert Hall. God bless you Andras.
  • @Resounded
    I keep listening to this over and over .. I wish I could play like Andras Schiff … I never get tired of this performance... Each time I listen I lock myself in and, absorb each note as though it was giving me something.. Words cannot describe how I feel about the music and, Mr. Schiff.