This performance edition presents the French Suites in the “Urtext” from the New Bach Edition. It thus contains everything in the highly complex source tradition that modern scholars consider to bear Bach's authorial sanction. These include the earliest complete version (A) in the hand of Bach's son-in-law J. C. Altnickol, and the later, more richly ornamented layer (B) handed down in diverse sources. Although the title “French Suites” was already in circulation in the eighteenth century, neithe...

• Preface
• Facsimiles
• The six Frenche Suites, BWV 812-817:
• Earlier from according to the Altnickol tradition (Version A)
• Younger Form, Embellished Version (Version B)
• Two Suites in A minor and E-flat major:
• Earlier Form, BWV 818, 819
• Younger Form, BWV 818a, 819a
• Appendix:
• Alternative versions for French Suites nos. 3 and 4:
• Suite h-Moll, BWV 814a
• Suite Es-Dur, BWV 815a