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

  • 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
2023 September 29 Opera City Tokyo, Japan
2023 October 01 MUZA Hall Kawasaki, Japan
2023 October 03 Arts Center Seoul, South Korea
2023 October 05 Arts Center Gyeong-gi, South Korea
2023 October 11 Dvorák Hall - Rudolfinum Prague, Czechia
2023 October 12 Dvorák Hall - Rudolfinum Prague, Czechia
2023 October 13 Dvorák Hall - Rudolfinum Prague, Czechia
2023 October 20 Kursaal Engelberg, Switzerland
2023 October 21 Kursaal Engelberg, Switzerland
2023 October 23 Wigmore Hall London, United Kingdom
2023 October 25 Wigmore Hall London, United Kingdom
2023 October 29 Gewandhaus Leipzig, Germany
2023 October 30 Alte Oper Frankfurt, Germany
2023 November 03 Montcalm Palace Quebec QC, Canada
2023 November 05 Koerner Hall Toronto ON, Canada
2023 November 08 WPAS Washington DC, United States
2023 November 10 NEC's Jordan Hall Boston MA, United States
2023 November 12 Symphonie Center Chicago IL, United States
2023 November 14 Kauffmann Center Kansas City MI, United States
2023 November 16 Carnegie Hall New York NY, United States
2023 November 23 tba Bordeaux, France
2023 November 28 tba Basel, Switzerland
2023 December 04 Tonhalle Zurich, Switzerland
2023 December 06 tba Lugano, Switzerland
2023 December 08 tba Genf, Switzerland
2023 December 10 Casino Bern, Switzerland
2023 December 13 Salzburger Marionettentheater Salzburg, Austria
2023 December 15 tba Ludwigshafen, Germany
2023 December 17 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2023 December 21 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2023 December 23 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2023 December 26 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2023 December 28 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2023 December 30 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2024 January 02 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2024 January 06 Pierre Boulez Saal Berlin, Germany
2024 January 10 Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Germany
2024 February 01 deSingel Antwerp, Belgium
2024 February 17 Kulturpalast Dresden, Germany
2024 February 20 Isarphilharmonie Munich, Germany
2024 February 21 Liederhalle Stuttgart, Germany
2024 February 23 deSingel Antwerp, Belgium
2024 February 25 Konzerthaus Dortmund, Germany
2024 March 17 Isarphilharmonie Munich, Germany