Suite in C minor, BWV 997

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Bach, Johann Sebastian - Suite in C minor, BWV 997

    Piano Transcriptions

  • I. Prelude - Arranged for Piano
  • II. Fuga - Arranged for Piano
  • III. Sarabande - Arranged for Piano
  • IV. Gigue, V. Double - Arranged for Piano
  • Recorded, produced, and published by: Gregor Quendel
    Arranged for piano by: Gregor Quendel
    The arrangement is based on the notes by: H. Fesefeldt
    © 2026 CLASSICALS.DE EXCLUSIVE RECORDINGS
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The Suite in C minor, BWV 997, by Johann Sebastian Bach, is a piece for lute that exists in two versions:

  • BWV 997.1 – 1st version, composed before the oldest existing manuscript copy was written between 1738 and 1741, for lute-harpsichord (lautenwerk).

  • BWV 997.2 – 2nd version, for lute: the arrangement is possibly not by Bach.

Historical Context

There is an ongoing debate regarding the works Bach wrote for the lute. It is believed that these works were possibly composed to be played on the lute-harpsichord (lautenwerk), a keyboard instrument similar to the harpsichord. Bach possessed a deeper knowledge of keyboard and bowed string instruments than he did of plucked string instruments.

However, the Lute Suite BWV 997 seems to be a work better adapted to the characteristics of plucked instruments. Bach wrote this suite as an original piece, unlike other lute works which are transcriptions of pieces originally for violin or cello. This suite was likely written during his time in Leipzig, in the late 1730s or early 1740s.

Movements

It has five movements:

  1. Preludio

  2. Fuga

  3. Sarabande

  4. Gigue

  5. Double (variation on the gigue) – If the double is counted as a separate movement.


Source: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suite_para_laúd_en_do_menor,_BWV_997 / License: CC BY-SA 4.0


Interior with cello by Carl Holsøe

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