No. 1. Suite in C (for two oboes, and bassoon, with strings)
No. 2. Suite in B minor (for flute with strings)
No. 3. Suite in D (for two oboes, three trumpets, and drums, with
strings)
No. 4. Suite in D (for three oboes, bassoon, three trumpets, and
drums, with strings)
The term “suite” was not given by Bach to the four compositions that now
are so named—the suites in C major, B minor, and two in D major. He used
the word “_ouverture._” The original parts of these overtures were
handed over in 1854 by the Singakademie of Berlin to the Royal (now
Stadt) Library of that city.
Bach probably composed the four suites during his stay at Cöthen
(1717-23), as _Kapellmeister_ to Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen. The
prince was then nearly twenty-four years old, an amiable, well-educated
young man, who had traveled and was fond of books and pictures. He
played the violin, the viol da gamba, and the harpsichord. Furthermore,
he had an agreeable bass voice and was more than an ordinary singer.
Bach said of him, “He loved music, he was well acquainted with it, he
understood it.” The music at the Court was chiefly chamber music, and
here Bach passed happy years.
Under the reign of Leopold’s puritanical father there was no Court
orchestra, but in 1707 Gisela, Leopold’s wife, set up to please her
husband an establishment of three musicians. When Leopold returned from
his grand tour he expanded the orchestra. In 1714 he appointed
Augustinus Reinhard Stricker _Kapellmeister_, and Stricker’s wife
Catherine soprano and lutanist. In 1716 the orchestra numbered eighteen
players who, “with some omissions and additions,” constituted its
membership under Bach. Stricker and his wife retired in August, 1717.
Leopold offered the post of _Kapellmeister_ to Bach, “who was known to
him since his sister’s wedding at Nienburg in the previous year.” This
orchestra, reinforced by visiting players, probably played the
Brandenburg music before it was performed elsewhere.
LUDWIG VAN
BEETHOVEN
(Born at Bonn, December 16 (?), 1770; died at Vienna, March 26, 1827)