Johann Sebastian Bach
English Suites
About Johann Sebastian Bach's English Suites
This is the earliest of Bach’s sets of keyboard suites, probably written during his time in Weimar.
The name is mysterious and somewhat misleading, since the works have no affinity with English keyboard music: they could even be described as more French in style than the French Suites. However, a manuscript copy described the work as “fait pour les Anglais” (made for the English).
Bach’s 19th-century biographer Forkel speculated that they were commissioned by an English nobleman, others have contended that Bach was emulating the keyboard suites of Handel or Dieupart, both of whom worked in England.
On a larger scale than the their “French” equivalents, the English Suites all begin with a Prelude.
| Preview | Title | Key | Year | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
English Suite 1 BWV 806 | A Major | 1722 | 8+ |
 |
English Suite 2 BWV 807 | A Minor | 1722 | 8+ |
 |
English Suite 3 BWV 808 | G Minor | 1722 | 8+ |
 |
English Suite 4 BWV 809 | F Major | 1722 | 8+ |
 |
English Suite 5 BWV 810 | E Minor | 1722 | 8+ |
 |
English Suite 6 BWV 811 | D Minor | 1722 | 8+ |
Forum posts about the English Suites by Johann Sebastian Bach
Bach English Suites by chopinawesome
Hi What would be a good movement from an English Suite by Bach to start with? I have just finished his 2nd french suite,Chopin's Improm...
Listening to piano works by Bach while studying maths by Presto Agitato
In your opinion which work by Bach could be a good option while i study maths. English Suites, Partitas, Goldberg Variations?? Thanks ...
Managing Bach executions by fcracker79
Greetings, I'm preparing for the fifth year piano exam, which requires the execution of the english suites 2 and 3, over all. Now, I ha...
Bach English and French Suites by jehangircama
has anyone here played some of these pieces or heard good recordings of them. i'm planning to sight read a couple of them, which one�...
The English Suites by Mello
I've been working on Bach's English Suites for a while and I was wondering if anyone on here plays them. If so, which are your favorites?...