Shownotes

Bach's sixth partita joins my top three favorites from his collection he called Clavier-Übung I (keyboard collection). This was a collection Bach took seriously as a publication.

Bach opens with an unusual suite movement, a toccata, and "warms us up" with both a French-overture like start then a contrapuntal chase. The suite contains a number of dances, and ends with what may sound like a typical "gigue," which in sound is full of intervalic leaps, forcing us to extend our concept of melody.

Featured Performances:

• David Fray, piano
• Andreas Staier, harpsichord
• Benjamin Alard, harpsichord
• Ton Koopman, harpsichord
• Johannes Maria Bogner, clavichord