Gigue in G major by J. S. Bach played on a two-manual harpsichord

Описание: The G-major suite BWV 816 is one of several written during Bach's employment at Cöthen, named "French" suites by later generations. This piece was one that Bach gave to his new wife, Anna Magdalena Bach, presumably as an instructional text. From the number of copies left by other students, Bach clearly set great store by these seemingly simple pieces.

The gigue caught on as the customary upbeat end of the keyboard suite toward the end of the 17th century, especially in Germany. Something along the lines of a chaconne or passacaille was favored for more solemn finishes. Where the other three suite movements (allemande, courante & sarabande) tended toward accompanied melody, the gigue very often veered off into imitative and sometimes fugal textures with dollops of virtuosity sprinkled in. This was Bach's practice, something this easily recognizable gigue exemplifies to a T.

This instrument, a Hubbard French Double kit, was one of two that had returned to the shop for musical finishing within a few months. Both had been assembled well and each possessed a fine voice that hewed quite close to type – perfect for demonstrating the virtues of the design in recordings. They were a pair that kept me playing longer than my work schedule should have allowed. This recording was made in the Hubbard Shop in Saxonville in September, 2004.

The instrument is tuned in a 1/5th-comma temperament ordinaire. The piece is played on the plein jeu throughout, disposed 2 x 8' & 1 x 4'.

Allemande:    • Allemande in G major by J. S. Bach played ...  
Courante:    • Courante in G major by J. S. Bach played o...  
Sarabande:    • Sarabande in G major by J. S. Bach played ...  
Gavotte:    • Gavotte in G major by J. S. Bach played on...  
Bourrée:    • Bourrée in G major by J. S. Bach played on...  
Loure:    • Loure in G major by J. S. Bach played on a...