Clavier-Übung, Part I contains six suites, called Partitas, in which stylized dances are preceded by different kinds of introductory movements, variously entitled Praeludium, Praeambulum, Sinfonia, Fantasia, Overture, and Toccata, all forms and types of late Baroque keyboard music. This third collection of keyboard suites (BWV825-830) occupies a special place in Bach’s (1685-1750) entire oeuvre, because it was the first work that he was to engrave and publish himself in the period 1726-1741. He entitled the series Clavier-Übung, and each separate suite Partita. Like the English suites, the partitas begin with an introductory piece which is of a different character in each partita - sometimes like an invention (partita I), sometimes a French overture (partita II and IV), and sometimes a fantasy (partita III). The pieces display French and Italian characteristics, but they also seem to anticipate the expressive melodic style of C.P.E. Bach. All Bach’s six partitas have the dances of the classical suite - allemande, courante, sarabande, gigue - (except for the omission of the gigue from No.2). But Bach went further in his addition of `ander Galanterien’, as he calls them on the title-page. Every partita has at least one. Clearly Bach intended to give each partita its individual distinct character. Wolfgang Rübsam is internationally known as an authoritative Bach interpreter, from recordings of the organ and harpsichord on several different labels. This new recording is played on a lute-harpsichord, an instrument that Bach would have had at home for both music-making in the family and for teaching. The touch required and the sonority produced is delicate, subtly shaded and closely related in its effect to the music of Bach’s French contemporaries, whose music he knew well, such as François Couperin, Jean-Philippe Rameau and Louis Marchand. The sound is warmer, as it has gut strings and no dampers.
“These lovely performances memorably showcase Rübsam’s sensitive and poetic side. Recommended. Performance: 9” wrote Jed Distler of Classicstoday.com about the earlier issue of Rübsam’s recording of Bach’s French Suites.
