The complete sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti and the first-ever complete recording of the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book are monuments old and new of the Brilliant Classics catalogue. Their author, harpsichordist Pieter-Jan Belder, has recently been adding to his considerable Bach catalogue with new recordings of canonical masterpieces such as the Goldberg Variations (95471), the Toccatas BWV 910-916 (96059) and the Art of Fugue (96035). These have attracted the enthusiasm of international critics: 'Excellently recorded and faultlessly played' (Goldbergs; Early Music Review). Belder now turns his attention to the collection of six suites probably assembled by Bach in around 1725 from material he may have composed as early as a decade previously, while he had been in service to the Duke of Weimar. Despite their title, there is nothing especially English about these suites; they differ from the later French suites in their grander scale and more serious vein of expression, which reaches it's height in the Sarabande of the Third Suite, which has become a profound meditation in the hands of artists as diverse as Maria Jooo Pires and Sviatoslav Richter. However, in the English Suites we find not the Bach of the Goldbergs' solitary and introspective poet but the extrovert performer, especially in the ebullient concerto-style preludes of Nos. 2-6. The intricate counterpoint of the Allemandes is effectively contrasted with the spring in the step of the later dances such as the Minuets of No.4 and the Passepieds of No.5, while each suite ends with a flourish: a gigue of searching harmonies and whirling momentum to test the technique of the most accomplished performers. 'Without bringing anything provocative into his interpretations, [Belder] dependably makes the listener comfortable and attentive. He draws attention not to himself but to the music. His imagination serves the composer.' (American Record Guide).
Tracklist:
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: I. Prélude
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: III. Courante I
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: IV. Courante II Avec Deux Doubles
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: V. Sarabande
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: VI. Bourrée I & II
English Suite No. 1 In A Major, Bwv 806: VII. Gigue
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: I. Prélude
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: III. Courante
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: IV. Sarabande
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: V. Bourrée I & 2
English Suite No. 2 In A Minor, Bwv 807: VI. Gigue
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: I. Prélude
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: III. Courante
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: IV. Sarabande
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: V. Gavotte I & Gavotte II Ou La Musette
English Suite No. 3 In G Minor, Bwv 808: VI. Gigue
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: I. Prélude, Vitement
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: III. Courante
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: IV. Sarabande
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: V. Menuet I & II
English Suite No. 4 In F Major, Bwv 809: VI. Gigue
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: I. Prélude
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: III. Courante
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: IV. Sarabande
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: V. Passepied I & II
English Suite No. 5 In E Minor, Bwv 810: VI. Gigue
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: I. Prélude
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: II. Allemande
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: III. Courante
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: IV. Sarabande & Double
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: V. Gavotte I & II
English Suite No. 6 In D Minor, Bwv 811: VI. Gigue
UPC: 5028421960609 Label: Brilliant Classics Release Date: 2.12.21 Format: CD
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