Partita III, D dur

Two manuscripts containing 7 keyboard partita’s are held by the Staatsbibliothek Berlin. 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 third partita contains 8 dances. Bourée I is one of my favorite pieces of all 51 dances. But the other 7 are almost as attractive.

00:00 Allemande
03:00 Courante
05:40 Sarabande
07:40 Bourée I & Bourée II
10:37 Aria (adagio)
12:45 Menuet I & Menuet II
15:45 Gigue

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