Johann Sebastian Bach: Six Partitas

András Schiff

Following last year’s completion of his highly-praised Beethoven cycle András Schiff returns to Bach with a superb interpretation of the six “Partitas”, recorded live in September 2007 at Neumarkt Reitstadl one of the best piano music venues in Eurpoe. The cycle, which in 1731 was the first group of works to be published by Bach himself, represents a unique stylistic synthesis of the suite form with a particular emphasis on most varied and imaginative opening movements. In his 1802 biography of Bach, Nikolaus Forkel famously wrote that “such splendid compositions for the clavier had not been seen or heard before… so brilliant, harmonious, expressive and constantly novel are they.” Compared to his London studio recording of 1983 this second rendering on disc demonstrates Schiff’s stylistic development towards more freedom, sonic depth and sheer pleasure of phrasing. The rather unorthodox sequence of partitas – 5 – 3 – 1 – 2 – 4 – 6 – draws an ascending line of keys leading from G major to e minor.

Featured Artists Recorded

September 2007, Historischer Reitstadel, Neumarkt

Original Release Date

28.08.2009

  • CD 1
  • Partita V in G major, BWV 829
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 1Praeambulum02:11
  • 2Allemande04:16
  • 3Corrente01:34
  • 4Sarabande04:07
  • 5Tempo di Minuetta02:23
  • 6Passepied01:30
  • 7Gigue03:45
  • Partita III in a minor, BWV 827
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 8Fantasia01:50
  • 9Allemande02:47
  • 10Corrente02:40
  • 11Sarabande03:14
  • 12Burlesca02:00
  • 13Scherzo00:59
  • 14Gigue02:55
  • Partita I in B-flat major, BWV 825
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 15Praeludium01:52
  • 16Allemande03:09
  • 17Corrente02:42
  • 18Sarabande04:25
  • 19Menuet I01:15
  • 20Menuet II01:17
  • 21Gigue02:10
  • Partita II in c minor, BWV 826
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 22Sinfonia04:17
  • 23Allemande04:31
  • 24Courante02:05
  • 25Sarabande03:01
  • 26Rondeau01:27
  • 27Capriccio03:18
  • CD 2
  • Partita IV in D major, BWV 828
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 1Ouverture05:50
  • 2Allemande07:56
  • 3Courante03:19
  • 4Aria02:04
  • 5Sarabande05:55
  • 6Menuet01:20
  • 7Gigue03:34
  • Partita VI in e minor, BWV 830
    (Johann Sebastian Bach)
  • 8Toccata07:19
  • 9Allemanda03:40
  • 10Corrente04:47
  • 11Air01:41
  • 12Sarabande05:33
  • 13Tempo di Gavotta01:57
  • 14Gigue05:40


Following last year's completion of his highly-praised Beethoven cycle András Schiff returns to Bach with a superb interpretation of the six "Partitas". It was recorded live in September 2007 at Neumarkt Reitstadl, one of the best piano music venues in Europe. The cycle, which in 1731 was the first group of works to be published by Bach himself, represents a unique stylistic synthesis of the suite form with a particular emphasis on most varied and imaginative opening movements. In his 1802 biography of Bach, Nikolaus Forkel famously wrote that "such splendid compositions for the clavier had not been seen or heard before… so brilliant, harmonious, expressive and constantly novel are they."

Although his earlier Bach recordings are still available, this is Schiff’s new Bach: Compared to his London studio version of 1983 this second rendering of the Partitas on disc demonstrates Schiff's stylistic development towards more freedom, personal expression and sheer pleasure of phrasing. His playing on stage combines spontaneity and intellectual depth, ravishing sound with superb technical finish. In his personal note for the present recording Schiff writes: "Conducting the St. Matthew Passion and the B-minor Mass several times were experiences that have left an indelible mark on my piano performances: we frequently find dance movements in Bach's church music, and his instrumental works were often inspired by his sacred compositions."

The pianist’s rather unorthodox sequence of Partitas – 5 - 3 - 1 - 2 - 4 - 6 – draws an ascending line of keys leading from G major to e minor. It reflects a long experience with the pieces on stage. According to Schiff the Clavierübung “is designed to be at once enyclopaedic, scholarly and instructive. Nonetheless, the six partitas form an ideal, if long, concert program: Bach’s music succeeds over and over again in forging an intimate bond between performer and audience.”
YEAR DATE VENUE LOCATION
2025 February 12 Flagey Brussels, Belgium
2025 February 15 Lisinski Hall Zagreb, Croatia
2025 February 17 Dvorák Hall - Rudolfinum Prague, Czechia
2025 February 23 Musikverein Vienna, Austria
2025 February 25 Musikverein Vienna, Austria
2025 February 26 historischer Reitstadel Neumarkt, Germany
2025 February 27 Casals Forum Kronberg, Germany
2025 February 28 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2025 March 05 Sheldonian Theatre Oxford, United Kingdom
2025 March 11 Kartause Ittingen, Switzerland
2025 March 18 HongKong Cultural Centre Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
2025 March 19 HongKong Cultural Centre Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR China
2025 March 21 Symphony Hall Kawasaki, Japan
2025 March 22 Fenice Sacay Sakai, Japan
2025 March 23 Kyoto Concert Hall Kyoto, Japan
2025 March 25 Tokyo Opera City Tokyo, Japan
2025 March 26 Tokyo Opera City Tokyo, Japan
2025 March 28 Concert House Daegu, South Korea
2025 March 30 Concert Hall Seoul, South Korea
2025 April 07 Hellerup Kirke Hellerup, Denmark
2025 April 09 Musiikkitaloon Helsinki, Finland
2025 April 10 Musiikkitaloon Helsinki, Finland
2025 April 22 Philharmonie Paris, France
2025 May 01 Teatro Olimpico Vicenza, Italy
2025 May 03 Teatro Olimpico Vicenza, Italy
2025 May 06 Schloß Freudenstein Eppan, Italy
2025 May 11 Musikverein Vienna, Austria
2025 May 12 Musikverein Graz, Austria
2025 May 13 Musikverein Graz, Austria
2025 May 15 deSingel Antwerp, Belgium
2025 May 17 Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Netherlands
2025 May 18 Herkulessaal Munich, Germany
2025 May 19 Tonhalle Zurich, Switzerland
2025 May 20 Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Germany
2025 May 22 Royal Festival Hall London, United Kingdom
2025 June 07 Wigmore Hall London, United Kingdom
2025 June 09 Wigmore Hall London, United Kingdom
2025 June 15 Filharmonia Warsaw, Poland
2025 June 17 Konzerthaus Vienna, Austria
2025 June 19 Konzerthaus Blaibach, Germany
2025 June 21 Gewandhaus Leipzig, Germany
2025 June 28 Casals Forum Kronberg, Germany
2025 June 29 Casals Forum Kronberg, Germany
2025 July 03 Schloß Elmau Krün, Germany
2025 July 05 Schloß Elmau Krün, Germany