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Johann Sebastian Bach
Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068
Johann Sebastian Bach was employed in Cothen from 1717-1723. His employer, Prince Leopold, belonged to the Reformed Church, so Bach did not compose church or organ music. As Kapellmeister, Bach gladly conformed to the Prince's requests for orchestral music. It was during this period that all four orchestral suites, or overtures, were written, as well as the Brandenburg Concertos, Well Tempered Clavier, and Orgelbuchlein.
The orchestral suites all begin with a French overture style, using double-dotting in the slower sections. The stately section is heard at the beginning, then is followed by a faster fugal section, and the slow section is heard again. In the Orchestral Suite No. 3, the dance movements contain some of Bach's most heart felt emotion. The Gavottes I & II function as an ABA form, where Gavotte I is repeated as a da capo. The Air spins out rich, florid lines with melodic expression; it is deceptively simple. The movement is based on an eighth note octave motive heard in the cello. The role of the bass reminds the listener of how Bach employs the obligato voice of the organ pedal. The suite concludes with a brisk and joyful Gigue which features the trumpet.
-- program notes by Laurien Jones