Bach, Johann Sebastian.

with the title page "G Dur 1 Clavier Suite bestehend in Allemanden, Couranten, Gavotten etc: von Johann Sebastian Bach. hochfürst[lichen] Anholt Cöthnischen würck[lichen] Capellmeister und Directore Chori Musici Lipsiensis", comprising seven movements, the Gavotte placed third (Allemande, Courante, Gavotte, Sarabande, Bourée, Loure, Gigue), notated for keyboard in dark brown ink on six two-stave systems per page, with a few later annotations in light brown ink, the title-page possibly in a different hand from the music



11 pages, folio (c.32 x 23.5cms), 12-stave paper, title and music annotated in another early hand, including the price ("[Mk]1.8"), [Hamburg, second half of the eighteenth-century (before 1785)], original stitching, browning to leading edge of title page

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This is an important unrecorded source for Bach's French Suite no. 5, written around a quarter of a century before its first appearance in print. This manuscript probably dates from the 1770s or 1780s, but certainly before 1785, when it was listed in the catalogue of the Hamburg music copyist Johann Christoph Westphal (where the asking price matches that on the present title-page).  The copyist also wrote many other Bach pre-publication scores, and may indeed be J.C. Westphal himself.   The title has been altered by a slightly later hand with musicological information about the French Suites, including the alteration of "1 Clavier Suite" to "5te Clavier Suite". The text contains readings deriving from the earliest manuscript sources of the French Suites, whereas the annotations, include some decorations known from other slightly later sources.  The Fifth Suite BWV 816 was first published by Hoffmeister of Vienna in about 1801-1803.  We are most grateful to Dr Peter Wollny for his assistance in our cataloguing of this manuscript.