Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. 1. Prélude
2. 2. Allemande
3. 3. Courante 1
4. 4. Courante 2
5. 5. Double 1
6. 6. Double 2
7. 7. Sarabande
8. 8. Bourrée 1
9. 9. Bourrée 2 - Bourrée 1 da capo
10. 10. Gigue
11. 1. Prélude
12. 2. Allemande
13. 3. Courante
14. 4. Sarabande - Les agréments de la même Sarabande
15. 5. Bourrée 1
16. 6. Bourrée 2 - Bourrée 1 da capo
17. 7. Gigue
18. 1. Prélude
19. 2. Allemande
20. 3. Courante
21. 4. Sarabande - Les agréments de la même Sarabande
22. 5. Gavotte 1 (ou la Musette)
23. 6. Gavotte 2 - Gavotte 1 da capo
24. 7. Gigue

Disc 2:

1. 1. Prélude
2. 2. Allemande
3. 3. Courante
4. 4. Sarabande
5. 5. Menuett 1
6. 6. Menuett 2 - Menuett 1 da capo
7. 7. Gigue
8. 1. Prélude
9. 2. Allemande
10. 3. Courante
11. 4. Sarabande
12. 5. Passepied 1 (en Rondeau)
13. 6. Passepied 2 - Passepied 1 da capo
14. 7. Gigue
15. 1. Prélude
16. 2. Allemande
17. 3. Courante
18. 4. Sarabande
19. 5. Double
20. 6. Gavotte 1
21. 7. Gavotte 2 - Gavotte 1 da capo
22. 8. Gigue

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57484 in Music
• Released on: 1995-02-07
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com essential recording
There's nothing "English" about the English Suites, except for a story circulating after Bach's death that they were composed for an Englishman. These pieces are larger than Bach's French Suites, for in addition to the usual batch of dances that characterizes the suite form, they also contain a large introductory prelude, or "overture." Gould performs this music--as he does all of Bach--with the crisp style and utter digital clarity that for many people remains the way this music was meant to sound. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Outstanding. I never tire of this magnificent performance.
OK, I admit it. I am a Glenn Gould fan. But I am even more a fan of Bach. There are many fine interpreters of Bach on keyboard. Roslyn Tureck is one of the greatest, and her versions of the Goldberg Variations are among the best. Gavrilov does a fine job with the French Suites. But I always keep coming back to Gould.

The English Suites are more profound than the French Suites, though both offer many rewards for repeated listening. However, the English Suites surpass both the French Suites and the Partitas in the pleasure they have given me over the years.

This recording offers Gould at his most sensitive and Bach at his greatest. Very highly recommended.

It's Gould Playing Bach, for God's Sake
Why should one get this? It is music by one of, if not THE, greatest composers of all time performed by the eccentric, but nevertheless THE, utter master of that composer. Does it matter that it is the English Suites? Not at all. It could just as easily be the French Suites. In fact, the wise buyer acquires them both, with the Goldberg Variations. But if you are still not sold....

Most people associate Bach (rightly) with fugues which, for the most part, do not have catchy melodies. Consequently, there seems to be this notion that Bach suffers from a shortage of melody. Untrue as this is, the English Suites nevertheless give you plenty to dance to, because all of the individuals pieces of the six suites here are based on dance forms (none especially English, by the way).

More cerebrally, but no less sublimely, though "simple" dance forms at root, Bach's genius for counterpoint makes them ceaselessly fascinating to listen to. One can literally pick out a musical line and follow it from start to end in (imagined) isolation. (Bach makes this easy for you in his Suites for Unaccompanied Cello, and his Partitas for Solo Violin--find Grumiaux's version if you can.)

And all of this genius is performed with the eccentric brilliance of Glenn Gould, who brings a literally breathtaking array of both virtuosity and musicianship to the pieces. But how can I possibly describe the thrill I get hearing him play (and play Bach at that). You simply must experience it for yourself.

I could just say, "Wow".

If you like intricate music that is not simply a jigsaw to listen to, and if you have the least ear for appreciating piano technique, then this disc (and any other Gould playing Bach) is a match made in Heaven.

Almost perfect
I agree with all of the below reviews in praise of this recording. The only flaw I have noticed on this disc is some pretty atrocious tuning problems throughout, particularly at some of the most rewarding moments of the Fourth Suite. Ouch! Edits are made between sections, obviously separately recorded, which are nearly a quarter tone apart. This recording is VERY rewarding, but for those with sensitive ears, beware!