English Suites.... why don't more people play these?

[asuhayda]

Too difficult?
Too long?
Too old?

...or is it that they are great works, but simply under-studied/appreciated?

I think they are great! I don't get it.  Sounds like most people prefer the Partitas.

What do you think?

[peanutbutter]

I prefer the partitas...

[sleepapnea]

If you are talking about why these aren't recorded so much, etc - it's because the early music movement has taken precedence over recordings of Baroque music on modern instruments. It's actually a fact that CDs of baroque ensembles sell better than CDs of the same repertoire played on modern instruments.

If you are talking about why amateurs don't play them more often, it seems like the French Suites are more popular - and they definitely are among the critics.

I don't know if this is a popular trend, but I met a young pianist whose teacher actually forbid him to play Bach. It doesn't seem to be a modern trend, since people used to be afraid to play Bach lest it make them unfit to play Chopin because it would train their hands in a different way. Of course, this is untrue.

[scherzo123]

I personally like the English Suites, especially No. 6, and to be more specific, the gigue from it. I think it's because:

1.Most people that are unfamiliar with Baroque music think Bach is boring (I think Bach is cool )

2.His other works are probably more amusing to others, such as the Well-Tempered Clavier, French Suites, Partitas, and Goldberg Variations.

3.I think this isn't a really strong reason, but I guess people think that the English Suites are VERY hard technically and musically (This is what I heard, I never played the English Suites but I've listened to them).

[j_menz]

I like the English Suites (which, I'm sure will surprise no-one). They're not really that much more difficult than the French Suites, so not sure why more people don't play them. Maybe they move on to the WTC instead?

[asiantraveller101]

Maybe they move on to the WTC instead?

Yes! Partly so. The requirement for Bach WTC is so prevalent: in competitions, testings, etc, that most teachers just focus on WTC when are students are able to tackle them. I have even known of teachers who jump right into WTC without any exposure to Inventions first. (Likewise, look at the dwindling limited choices of Beethoven sonatas that students are playing. Everyone is playing the same few popular ones). 

[elenka]

In my country, Italy, once upon a time (until a year ago  ) there were three big exams to take if you wanted to get the graduation in piano, for which you had to play some works by Bach among other composition you had to study

1. the basic level (our 5 grade) you had to prepare 2 whole english suites (A minor and G minor) and 3 sinfonias (3-part iventions)
2. the middle level( grade 8)24 preludes&fuges 12 from the first book and 12 from the 2 one of the WTC

3. the graduation exam (10 grade) One composition by Bach such Partitas, Concerto Italiano, Bach-Busoni transcriptions.

Italian students know very well what playing Bach's music means   and it's considered unavoidable for a pianist if you want to gain the best advantage for your technique skills and your music education

[asuhayda]

In my country, Italy, once upon a time (until a year ago  ) there were three big exams to take if you wanted to get the graduation in piano, for which you had to play some works by Bach among other composition you had to study

1. the basic level (our 5 grade) you had to prepare 2 whole english suites (A minor and G minor) and 3 sinfonias (3-part iventions)
2. the middle level( grade 8)24 preludes&fuges 12 from the first book and 12 from the 2 one of the WTC

3. the graduation exam (10 grade) One composition by Bach such Partitas, Concerto Italiano, Bach-Busoni transcriptions.

Italian students know very well what playing Bach's music means   and it's considered unavoidable for a pianist if you want to gain the best advantage for your technique skills and your music education

Well said my friend!  That sounds like an extremely grueling exam process...   

[christovr]

I like the English Suites (which, I'm sure will surprise no-one). They're not really that much more difficult than the French Suites, so not sure why more people don't play them. Maybe they move on to the WTC instead?

I played the 6th English Suite.  They are (as a collection) indeed quite a bit harder than the French Suites (which is why the movements from the French set frequently find their way into prescribed grade silabi).

The first movement of the 6th is rather long and has some very tricky passages and even the Gavotte or Sarabande should not be underestimated amongst the dances.  THe Gigue is great fun to play but there is a lot of trilling coupled with melodic partwriting going on in a single hand throughout.

I revere Bach and has done some of the Concertos incl. the lengthy no.1 in D (having been for a long time among the top three on my 'must do' list.  I guess everyone has to discover Bach for themselves.  I would not often consider including him in a program considering that in most audiences the level for appreciating Bach is at best mixed.