Bach – Suite no. 2 in B minor

^{Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)}

^{Suite in B Minor, no. 2, BWV 1067}

^{Bach’s B-minor Suite dates from the late 1730s and was probably the last of the four to be written; there’s some consensus that it was his last orchestral work, altogether (the term being rather loosely applied: the scoring is just for solo flute, strings, and continuo).}

^{Cast in seven movements, it opens with a grand, French-style overture whose stately, dotted-rhythmic-patterned outer thirds frame a brisk, syncopated middle section. Of the six dances that follow, the most striking are probably nos. 4 and 6, the Polonaise and Badinerie. Both are forms that Bach used very sparingly and, in each, the flute is given exposed and (in the latter) debonair solos.}

^{© Jonathan Blumhofer}

^{Reproduction Rights: This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the author.}