In 1713 the new Duke of Brandenburg, the self-styled ‘King in Prussia’, was crowned. Friedrich Wilhelm I proved to be an efficient administrator but was an autocratic and humourless leader, uninterested in the trifling diversions of high culture.
One of his first actions was to disband, without warning, the famous court orchestra in Berlin. Brandenburg’s most talented performers were dissipated throughout the loosely aligned states and principalities of Germany.
However, for the young, cultured Prince Leopold of Cöthen (a lovely small town in the rolling countryside southwest of Berlin), this was a heaven-sent opportunity to augment his own capella by securing some of the most accomplished players in the country, among them the cellist Christian Ferdinand Abel, for whom Bach wrote the Suites.
After discovering Grützmacher's edition in a charity shop, Pablo Casals began studying and performing the works, although it was 35 years before he agreed to record the pieces. Their popularity soared soon after.
Each of the Suites begins with a Prelude, followed by dance movements: Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gavotte and Gigue.
