Bach French Suite

Author: (German) Bach Composer
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Compiling Bach's works is particularly challenging because almost all performance cues are absent in his compositions, whereas such cues are taken for granted and familiar in the works of other composers. Scattered and simple tempo indications, a few isolated phrasing marks, and occasionally a "strong" or "weak"—that's all. In Bach's time, expressive means were still extremely limited, and performers used a variety of styles sparingly. Therefore, performers relied on their own understanding and judgment to interpret, which was ensured through demonstrations and verbal instruction.