This new Wiener Urtext Edition of J.S. Bach's English Suites addresses particularly the problematic question of extinct secondary sources. With Bach's autograph no longer surviving, the edition attempts to extract the original text from a plethora of manuscript copies by means of detailed comparisons and deduction. The edition attempts to amend passages that appear to be corrupted in all available sources and by careful reasoning bring them closer to Bach's probable intentions. All editorial decisions are documented in an extensive critical commentary, with the aim of enabling the readers to conduct their own critical evaluation of the musical text. Indispensable notes on authentic performance practice contain valuable information for the performer.
