This transcription was made essentially for teaching purposes and is based on the excellent Urtext edition published by Editions Lemoine under the guidance Dominique Geoffroy. This version provides an integral reproduction of the score and ornaments, as well as the few indications of liaisons that appeared on the manuscripts consulted. No additions have been made. Il goes, however, without saying that the flute presents its own specific technical and phrasing problems - consequently, musicians will have to supplement the score accordingly. They must add articulations, choose the types of attack and breathing, and where necessary, eliminate or modify some ornaments (especially in the higher passages for the first flute, or when tricky fingerings are required). Il would not have been possible to include such modifications in this transcription, since many solutions are possible, depending first and foremost on the technical skill of each student. Nonetheless it seems appropriate to remind musicians that any such changes should only be made if they continue to preserve fully the melodic and contrapuntal intentions of J.S. Bach. The editors would like to thank Mr. Dominique Geoffroy, who has graciously authorized the reproduction here of his remarks on ornamentation, which appeared in the introduction to his Urtext edition.
(transcription: Claude Voirpy)
