Partita I

Recently I discovered digital scans of two manuscripts, containing partita’s by Johann Adolph Scheibe. The composer Scheibe is a bit neglected, probably because of his criticism on the musical style of Johann Sabastian Bach. That he nevertheless wrote some worthwhile organ music, is apparent from his three organ trio’s, two of which I already published (see http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/20391 and http://www.contrebombarde.com/concerthall/music/24051).
The keyboard partitas are equally attractive. The two manuscripts contain 7 partita’s in total, 6 in one manuscript, one in the other. The last one in clearly the more ambitious one, both in scope and musical content. The other six are more modest, somewhat shorter, but of no less value. The partita’s vary in length, the number of dances, their type and order seem somewhat arbitrary. But they all have one thing in common: they stick to the mind. Originally meant for harpsichord, they work very well on organ too. The seven partita’s form a collection of 51 pieces, each of which can be of great value in musical education, or as a quick to learn intermezzo during service. They are relatively easy, but written with great ingenuity and craftmanship. Practise one of them for half an hour, and you’ll find yourself humming the piece for the rest of the day.

The first partita from the manuscript of six is the longest of those six. It comprises nine dances, ranging from soft and tender to bold and joyous. I’d be hard-pressed to name a favorite, but I think it’s the Gigue.

00:00 Allemande
03:00 Courante
05:38 Sarabande
08:00 Menuet I & Menuet II
11:00 Bourée
13:10 Aria (adagio)
15:55 Gavotte
17:35 Gigue

Score available here: http://partitura.org/index.php/johann-adolph-scheibe-partita/