Bach - Partita in Bb Major, BWV 825 (1726)
The keyboard partitas were the first pieces that Bach officially published, and contain some of his finest music. Which is a weird distinction because “some of his finest” seems to apply to almost everything he wrote. I absolutely love the first partita, which has a “luminous” quality for me. I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s among a handful of works that I deem “heavenly” and “serene” to listen to. It opens with a calm prelude, heavily ornamented with trills, and follows the typical baroque dance suite model. The allemande is cheerful, showing off the keyboardist’s technique. The courante is jumpy, but follows a sense of “effortless flow”, even with purposeful dissonances. The sarabande has a cool and collect dignity, simple with one melodic line flowing over a lot of silence, and single notes to give shape to a harmony. The two minuets are charming, but nothing prepares you for the outstanding, sparkling jig that comes through like a flurry, the main melody is broken up and bouncing, alternating over the frantic pattern that holds it together in the middle.
Movements:
1. Prelude
2. Allemande
5. Courante
4. Sarabande
5. Menuets I & II
6. Gigue
