The “English Suites” number among the pinnacles of keyboard literature. They strike a magnificent tone that provides an impressive picture of the virtuosic and sumptuous harpsichord style that Bach had in mind here. In his revision of the “English Suites”, editor Ullrich Scheideler was able to draw upon an exceptionally good source situation, even though no autograph has survived.

Suite II in a minor BWV 807 is taken from the complete volume HN595. It is ideal for studying and teaching. The carefully thought-out fingerings by Bach specialist Ekaterina Derzhavina contribute decisively to this. Authentic variants are made available to the player directly in the musical text. The Sarabande has survived in an authentic, embellished version which, in this Urtext edition and in accordance with the sources, follows immediately after the unembellished version. An additional contemporary, embellished version is to be found in the Appendix.

The edition contains an extensive preface which discusses in detail the background of the work’s genesis and presents a clear overview of the source situation. An ideal introduction to the cosmos of Bach’s “English” suites!

Ullrich Scheideler (Editor)

Ekaterina Derzhavina (Fingering)