The oldest ensemble for Baroque music in the Netherlands, the Netherlands Bach Society performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067. Shunske Sato, violin and direction; Marten Root, transverse flute.

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, BWV 1067

From the pompous opening bars all the way through to the frivolous finale, Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B minor, here performed by the Netherlands Bach Society for All of Bach, is a mouth-watering piece of music.

It is very much in the French style, as were many compositions of this kind in Germany in the first half of the eighteenth century when French national taste was predominated.

The “Ouverture” is in the style developed under Lully in France, a solemn introduction in marked rhythm leading to a more rapid fugal section, ending with a return to the solemnity of the opening. A lively Rondeau follows and a stately Sarabande.

The two Bourrées are played in alternation, followed by a Polonaise and a succeeding variation by the flute. The Suite ends with a Minuet and a Badinerie, a light-hearted and brilliant conclusion.

Programme

With start times in the video:

1. 0:00 Ouverture
2. 6:46 Rondeau
3. 8:55 Sarabande
4. 11:46 Bourrée I & II
5. 13:44 Polonaise
6. 17:14 Menuet
7. 18:35 Badinerie (Battinerie)