Suite in c (BWV997)

Suite (Partita) in c minor (BWV997) composed by J.S. Bach
Originally for lute (or possibly keyboard)
Edited by Jean-Pierre Rampal for Flute and Piano
Realization by Robert Vernon-Lacroix
Includes piano score and flute part

The Suite in C minor for flute and continuo was published for the first time in the supplement to the Bachgesellschaft Edition in the form of keyboard instrument with a figured bass, and a melodic line above.  The nature of such annotation rules out the hypothesis that it was meant for clavier.  Was it, then, a project of an orchestral suite, or, as it appears to us, a work for solo instrument with keyboard accompaniment?  In his thematic catalogue of Bach, Dorffel mentions the suite under a heading, “Works for Violin and Flute.” In view of the above, the editors take the liberty of presenting it in a version for flute and harpsichord.

The realization of this suite by Robert Veyron-Lacroix was made in the same style as Bach’s sonatas for flute and harpsichord.  The flute part above the the harpsichord has the slurs and dynamic indications as they appear in the Bachgesellschaft Edition; the separate flute part has editor’s suggestions as to dynamics and phrasing.

Contents:

I. Preludio
II. Fuga
III. Sarabande
IV. Gigue
V. Double