Little Suite after J. S. Bach [Suite in the style of J. S. Bach] for orchestra (ca 1937) Józef Koffler

Little Suite after J. S. Bach [Suite in the style of J. S. Bach] for orchestra (ca 1937)

Orchestral Works, Arrangements and Transcriptions, Work without Opus Number

Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, percussion, harp, strings

Manuscript: Unknown

Premiere: March 21, 1937, Lwów, Grand Theatre, conductor – Jakub Mund

Radio premiere: 21 June 1939, BBC Empire Orchestra, conductor – Eric Fogg

Movements: Polonaise; March; Minuet; Finale: Musette

Virtually all we know about this composition is

Information about the performance of Bach's suite arranged by Koffler, Chwila 1937, no. 6462 (March 16)

that it was a setting of dances from the Notebooks for Anna Magdalena Bach, as an English-language brochure (prepared by Koffler probably in late 1938) informs us.

Most likely it was premiered at the Grand Theatre in Lwów during a matinee concert of the Lwów Philharmonic, whose program - as announced in the press - combined "artistic and entertainment music" (Chwila 1937, no. 6462). Jakub Mund conducted.

It is highly probable that this composition is identical to the work which, under the title Suite in the Style of J. S. Bach, was broadcast by the BBC on June 21, 1939. It was performed by The Empire BBC Orchestra conducted by Eric Fogg (Radio Times June 18-24, 1939). The work consisted of four movements: Polonaise, March, Minuet, and Finale: Musette.