Six English Suites

Judith Lambden performs Johann Sebastian Bach's English Suites on piano.

Judith Lambden piano

The English Suites were probably written during Bach’s years as Kappellmeister in Cöthen, or even as early as 1715 while he was still in Weimar – certainly well before the six French Suites and the six Partitas. It was customary to write Suites in sets of six. The original manuscript had been lost, but a copy was in the possession of Bach’s youngest son, Johann Christian Bach, then living in England. The title page included the inscription 'Faites pour les Anglois'.

Aided by an ability to play a substantial number of Bach’s keyboard works and other repertoire from memory, Judith has given many recitals in England, where she lived for 23 years, and throughout Europe.

Judith Lambden studied under some of the great pianists and pedagogues of our times, including Kendall Taylor, Lamar Crowson, Nadia Boulanger and Paul Badura-Skoda. Later she was awarded a grant by the Dutch Government for one year of study with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam.

Artists

Judith Lambden

Distinguished Australian pianist and harpsichordist Judith Lambden has recorded many works on the Move label. Her recordings include the Great B flat Sonata of Schubert, Bach’s English and French Suites, the six Partitas, and many of J.S. Bach keyboard works.

Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity.

Audio previews

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Track Listing

English Suite, No. 1 in A major, BWV 806 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 2:34
Allemande 4:43
Courante I 2:19
Courante II 2:28
Double I 1:44
Double II 1:47
Sarabande 5:06
Bourrée I 2:23
Bourrée II 2:51
Gigue 2:40

English Suite, No. 2 in A minor, BWV 807 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 5:34
Allamande 3:44
Courante 2:28
Sarabande 4:08
Bourrée I 2:27
Boureée II 2:39
Gigue 3:38

English Suite, No. 3 in G minor, BWV 808 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 3:36
Allemande 3:41
Courante 2:45
Sarabande 4:29
Gavotte I 1:48
Gavotte II 1:50
Gigue 2:46

Disc 2

English Suite, No. 4 in F major, BWV 809 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 5:56
Allemande 3:50
Courante 1:54
Sarabande 3:48
Menuet I 1:30
Menuet II 2:12
Gigue 3:23

English Suite, No. 5 in E minor, BWV 810 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 5:42
Allemande 4:15
Courante 3:00
Sarabande 3:09
Passepied I 1:20
Passepied II 2:13
Gigue 2:54

English Suite, No. 6 in D minor, BWV 811 Johann Sebastian Bach

Prelude 8:51
Allemande 4:01
Courante 2:57
Sarabande 3:30
Gavotte I 2:35
Gavotte II 4:12
Gigue 3:12

Performers

Judith Lambden

Where to listen

Six English Suites is available for streaming through Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.

Six English Suites is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.