Taught by renowned guitarist
Paul O'Dette
In this course, Early music specialist Paul O'Dette explores the many sources available for Johan Sebastian Bach's Piéces pour la Luth à Monsieur Schouster, commonly known as Lute Suite No. 3. Paul explains the importance of meter, harmony, dissonance, tessitura, and direction of the individual dance movements of this magnificent piece.
Introduction to the Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995
Early music specialist Paul O'Dette explores the many sources available for Johann Sebastian Bach's Piéces pour la Luth à Monsieur Schouster, commonly known as Lute Suite No. 3. This magnificent piece is one of Bach's own arrangments of his fourth cello suite, giving us a lot of context for how Bach would approach harmony, voice leading, and even ornamentation.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Prelude
While many believe and perform the opening movement of this lute suite as a French overture, Paul O'Dette believes it to be more of a recitativo. The Très viste, a fugal section, makes clever use of masking two or more voices within a single line. Paul emphasizes the importance of treating the musical material as such, allowing for even more polyphony to come through the texture.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Allemande
It is commonly understood that the movements of a suite are made up of dances. The Allemande, for example, is of Germanic origin. However, there are a variety of styles and characters that are based on the Allemande. Paul O'Dette explores the characteristics of this Allemande and how to approach rhythmic variety and tasteful ornamentation.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Courante
When a dance suite or movement thereof is based on a French dance, it allows for some very tasteful variety in rhythm. In this Courante, Paul O'Dette demonstrates performing notes inégale, a rhythm very reminiscent of swinging, as well as the opportunity to use Lombard rhythm.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Sarabande
This particular Sarabande has been subject to plenty of analysis and research. Despite its very simplistic texture, the use of harmony, melody, and dissonance is a testament to J.S. Bach's genius.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Gavotte I & II
J.S Bach uniquely places a chain of beautiful 7th chords in the opening measures of Gavotte I. The Gavotte being a French dance, Paul O'Dette explores more opportunities for irregular rhythm. Gavotte II begins to have slightly more traditional jig qualities.
Lute Suite in G Minor, BWV 995 – Gigue
The last and final movement of this massive work is a Gigue. As Paul O'Dette explains, articulation of the third beat will give the movement its appropriate character.
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Unlock Course →Paul O'Dette is an American lutenist, conductor, and musicologist specializing in early music.
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