Saturday 14 August 2010
Tune of the Day: Preludio
from J.S. Bach's Lute Suite in C minor, transcribed for Flute with optional bass line
The Suite for lute (not flute) in C minor, BWV 997 is one of just two lute suites that Bach wrote from scratch: the others are arrangements of works for violin or cello. It is infused with deep but restrained affect, and displays the extraordinary architectural detail that is so much a part of Bach's last ten years. It is with good reason that the piece is widely considered Bach's finest lute work.
The Suite is laid out in four movements, starting with this magnificent two-voice Prelude. The higher voice is florid and of great flexibility, while the lower one moves mostly in steady quarter notes.