English Suite No.1: Bourrée II BWV 806

Description

Bourrée II of English Suite No. 1 turns from the suite's bright A major to the shaded sound of A minor, a compact dance in 2/2 heard between two playings of Bourrée I. Baroque suites often paired two dances of the same kind, playing the first again after the second, and writing the second to contrast with it; this piece is that contrasting middle.

It lasts about 48 seconds with 434 notes. Set against the brightness of Bourrée I, the parallel minor gives it a quieter colour, and its range is also narrower, C2 to D5, lying lower than Bourrée I, which gives the whole a calmer feel. The bourrée's characteristic start in the second half of the bar is kept.

It is rated intermediate and is smaller and more approachable than Bourrée I. Its narrow range fits on a 61-key keyboard. With fewer notes, the balance between the voices stands out, and the task is to keep the bourrée's spring even within the minor-key sound. Slow the playback to check both lines with the hand colours, and once it is ready, play Bourrée I, Bourrée II and Bourrée I in turn to hear how the contrast of major and minor works within the suite.

Six suites by Bach known as the "English Suites," combining French elegance with technical brilliance.