Album: Bach, Orchestral Suites for a Young Prince, (Avie)

Bach was never more comfortable than he was in Köthen, earning four times as much from the young Prince Leopold as he would in thrifty Leipzig. Is this reflected in his music?

Very much so in Sonnerie's intimate, trumpet-free Suites. Directing from the violin, Monica Huggett's intelligent decorations and sensual phrasing ensure an elegant performance from the strings. The jewel in the collection is Gonzalo X Ruiz's reconstruction of the Second Suite, played in the warmer key of A minor, with oboe replacing the solo flute.