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Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian

English Suite No. 5 in E Minor, BWV 810 (arr. Montenegrin Guitar Duo for 2 guitars)

Montenegrin Guitar Duo

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Year of Production: 2016

Playing Time: 00:19:08

Catalogue Number: NVF0176

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English Suite No. 5, originally in E minor but played on the guitar in B minor, begins with an extended Prelude in the form of a true fugue, building from its opening theme and modulating through a number of keys in a contrasting middle section before returning to the original motif.

The Allemande is also fugal. Following the plaintive sonorities
of the beginning, the second half of the movement in contrast contains some interesting dissonances.

This Courante is an exuberant dance propelled forward by energetic rhythmic patterns and some rapturous ornamentation. In each half, the onward momentum of the two-part counterpoint is relieved at particular moments by concise phrases played over a simple dominant pedal accompaniment before the contrapuntal aspects resume.

The Sarabande, in a three-part texture, has many intriguing features including a free-flowing bass line and a poignant melodic line.

The passepied (popular as a French court dance and instrumental form, and a quicker version of the menuet) was frequently put to good use in French operas and ballets. In the late Baroque keyboard suites it became customary for them to appear in pairs. The first Passepied in this suite is in rondeau form. The bright and brisk nature of the passepied is well represented here in the rondeau with Passepied II providing a contrast in both a relaxation of tempo and a change to the major key from the minor.

The Gigue here is in three-part fugal writing the first half consisting of two complete expositions separated by a brief episode. The second half begins in the bass gradually ascending in pitch and dramatic vitality, the finale being rounded off with climactic chords.