András Schiff plays Bach

Surely Bach’s French Suites, which he composed during his years at Cöthen (today Köthen), are among the finest inducements to practise that any teacher has ever made to a pupil. In this case Bach wrote them for his young wife, Anna Magdalena. The over-riding impression left by these suites is one of endearing tunefulness. Clavier-Übung II is a later collection of didactic keyboard pieces. It comprises two greatly contrasting works: the Italian Concerto and the Overture in the French Style. These performances admirably demonstrate the thoughtful and persuasive approach that András Schiff adopts when performing Bach. András Schiff, born in Budapest in 1953, is a pianist and conductor who has received numerous awards. He is one of the most famous interpreters of Bach, but also of Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann. The concert was recorded at the Protestant Reformed Church of Leipzig on 11 June 2010. András Schiff played: French Suites Nos. 1–6 Overture in the French Style in B minor Italian Concerto in F major, BWV 971