Topic by J. Unruh

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Topic: PT9 - Ruckers II Harpsichord - Bach: Gavotte - Französiche Suite

Binaural mix: For optimal sound, please use headphones.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was an outstanding German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He served as organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, and from 1708 as court organist and chamber musician in Weimar. From 1717, he worked as court Kapellmeister in Köthen. During this time, he composed significant works such as the Brandenburg Concertos. From 1723, he served as Thomaskantor in Leipzig. In this role, he was responsible for the church music of the city’s main churches, directed the Collegium Musicum and composed many of his famous vocal works, such as the Christmas Oratorio.
The French Suite No. 5 in G major (BWV 816) is one of his most popular compositions for harpsichord. Bach composed this piece between 1722 and 1725 as part of a collection for his second wife, Anna Magdalena. The Gavotte is an elegant, light-hearted piece characterised by a distinctly cheerful and catchy nature. The movement follows a classical Baroque, asymmetrical two-part song form (A-B form) with repetitions, structured in 8 plus 16 bars. Typical of the gavotte, the main theme begins with a distinctive upbeat, which lends the dance its lively forward momentum.

Ruckers II Harpsichord: Pianoteq 9
Artist: J. Unruh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oce-btoA7Q

All of our music recordings can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/@Praeludium.Opus1

Reply by Pianoteqenthusiast

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Re: PT9 - Ruckers II Harpsichord - Bach: Gavotte - Französiche Suite

J. Unruh wrote:

Binaural mix: For optimal sound, please use headphones.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was an outstanding German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He served as organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, and from 1708 as court organist and chamber musician in Weimar. From 1717, he worked as court Kapellmeister in Köthen. During this time, he composed significant works such as the Brandenburg Concertos. From 1723, he served as Thomaskantor in Leipzig. In this role, he was responsible for the church music of the city’s main churches, directed the Collegium Musicum and composed many of his famous vocal works, such as the Christmas Oratorio.
The French Suite No. 5 in G major (BWV 816) is one of his most popular compositions for harpsichord. Bach composed this piece between 1722 and 1725 as part of a collection for his second wife, Anna Magdalena. The Gavotte is an elegant, light-hearted piece characterised by a distinctly cheerful and catchy nature. The movement follows a classical Baroque, asymmetrical two-part song form (A-B form) with repetitions, structured in 8 plus 16 bars. Typical of the gavotte, the main theme begins with a distinctive upbeat, which lends the dance its lively forward momentum.

Ruckers II Harpsichord: Pianoteq 9
Artist: J. Unruh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oce-btoA7Q

All of our music recordings can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/@Praeludium.Opus1


Yes, this Gavotte is an elegant and free from worry or heavy emotional stress and easily sticks in people's minds.
And I get into a good mood when I listen to this piece
Thank you Unruh for sharing this gem.

And thanks for the information about Bach.

It’s great that you mentioned his second wife, Anna Magdalena. I recall that his first wife, Maria Barbara, was a relative and bore him seven children. He had another thirteen children with Anna Magdalena, so Bach had twenty children in total! Five of his sons became accomplished musicians.

And I’ve mentioned before that I like that you play the harpsichord as well. People rarely upload music featuring the harpsichord.

I always enjoy listening to what you share.
Thank you Unruh.

Best wishes,

Stig

Reply by carmelo.paolucci

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Re: PT9 - Ruckers II Harpsichord - Bach: Gavotte - Französiche Suite

J. Unruh wrote:

Binaural mix: For optimal sound, please use headphones.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was an outstanding German composer and organist of the Baroque period. He served as organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, and from 1708 as court organist and chamber musician in Weimar. From 1717, he worked as court Kapellmeister in Köthen. During this time, he composed significant works such as the Brandenburg Concertos. From 1723, he served as Thomaskantor in Leipzig. In this role, he was responsible for the church music of the city’s main churches, directed the Collegium Musicum and composed many of his famous vocal works, such as the Christmas Oratorio.
The French Suite No. 5 in G major (BWV 816) is one of his most popular compositions for harpsichord. Bach composed this piece between 1722 and 1725 as part of a collection for his second wife, Anna Magdalena. The Gavotte is an elegant, light-hearted piece characterised by a distinctly cheerful and catchy nature. The movement follows a classical Baroque, asymmetrical two-part song form (A-B form) with repetitions, structured in 8 plus 16 bars. Typical of the gavotte, the main theme begins with a distinctive upbeat, which lends the dance its lively forward momentum.

Ruckers II Harpsichord: Pianoteq 9
Artist: J. Unruh

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Oce-btoA7Q

All of our music recordings can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/@Praeludium.Opus1

Brilliant performance Unruh!
The binaural mix with Pianoteq's Ruckers II harpsichord sounds fantastic on headphones—so crisp, rich, and spacious.
Excellent work!

Last edited by carmelo.paolucci (01-08-2026 09:17)

Reply by J. Unruh

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Re: PT9 - Ruckers II Harpsichord - Bach: Gavotte - Französiche Suite

Hello Stig,
Thank you very much for your kind words. I share your appreciation for the use of the harpsichord in compositions from before 1770. I shall be happy to continue using the harpsichord.
Best regards,
J. Unruh

Reply by budo

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Re: PT9 - Ruckers II Harpsichord - Bach: Gavotte - Französiche Suite

beautiful J.Unruh, loved hearing the harpsichord in this!

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