Bach: French Suite No. 2, BWV 813, for Saxophone Quartet
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SKU: A0.1404877
Composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arranged by James M. Guthrie. Baroque,Chamber,Contest,Festival,Historic,Standards. 44 pages. Jmsgu3 #987907. Published by jmsgu3 (A0.1404877).The importance of Bach's "French Suites" lies in their unique blend of French and Italian styles despite the misleading title. These suites, composed between 1722 and 1725 for the clavier, showcase Bach's mastery in stylizing traditional dances like allemandes, courantes, sarabandes, and gigues. While named "French Suites" by later sources like Johann Nikolaus Forkel, they follow Italian conventions with some French influences. The suites offer a rich musical experience, bridging different European styles and serving as valuable teaching pieces. Despite the misleading title, Bach's "French Suites" are a testament to his compositional genius and continue to be cherished by musicians and audiences alike.
The history behind Bach's "French Suites" is intertwined with a bittersweet period in Bach's life. In May 1720, Bach embarked on a trip, leaving his wife, Maria Barbara, and four children. Tragically, upon his return, he discovered that Maria Barbara had passed away. This loss led to a significant change in Bach's personal life as he became a single father mourning his wife. Despite this tragedy, Bach found love again with Anna Magdalena Wülcken, whom he married. As a gesture of affection and to cultivate her musical skills, Bach composed music for Anna Magdalena, including what would later become the French Suites. These suites were likely performed at court and reflected the couple's intimate musical companionship. The French Suites were not published during Bach's lifetime, possibly because he did not deem it challenging enough. Today, these suites offer an accessible path to Bach's music and are cherished for their stylized dance movements inspired by French and Italian forms.
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