6 Movements: Praeludium (Andante), Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Double (Allegro), Air (Allegro)

This is a small suite with a prelude. It is likely one of Bach's very early compositions, its exact date of creation unknown, but presumed to be before his appointment in Weimar. It is included in the Möller Manuscript (for source information, refer to Fugue in A major, BWV 949). The title, a combination of Latin and Italian, is unusual for a Bach work, leading to suspicions of it being a forgery based on its style. However, since it was copied by Bach's elder brother, Johann Christoph of Ohrdruf, it is now considered a genuine work by Johann Sebastian. Nevertheless, it is unclear what the phrase "in the 3rd mode" refers to. While the concept and reality of modes varied greatly from antiquity to the 17th century, the 3rd mode bears no resemblance to F major in any theoretical treatise from any period. Furthermore, this suite, as written by Bach, is clearly tonal music, and no modal sonorities are perceptible.

Praeludium

The Praeludium is written in 3/2 time, a meter that harks back to older styles. It proceeds with close imitation in three voices. Although simply constructed, the latter half introduces a motif reminiscent of the theme's inversion.

Allemande

Unusually for a Bach piece of this type, the Allemande takes repeated notes as its theme. Perhaps due to this motif, it tends to give a restless impression, so care must be taken with the tempo to avoid it becoming too fast.

Courante

The Courante, though seemingly in triple meter, actually progresses in 6/4 time, i.e., compound duple meter, with two measures forming a single unit. The opening measure clearly suggests a continuation from the Allemande. Furthermore, a motif of the same note struck three times on the upbeat soon begins to be heard.

Sarabande

The Sarabande exhibits a certain lightness rarely seen in Bach's later suites. While the dance rhythm should ideally fall on the second beat of a triple meter, this characteristic is not observed in either the Sarabande itself or its Double. However, playing these at a fast tempo would be an error; the "Allegro" marking for the Double should at most be interpreted as an admonition to avoid sluggishness.

Air

The suite concludes with an Air. This is not a dance, but a French word for "song," equivalent to the Italian "aria." However, Bach seems to have strictly distinguished between "Air" and "Aria." This piece is in the French rondeau form, with an 8-measure recurring theme alternating with free developmental sections. Furthermore, at the end, there is a "Dal Segno" instruction in Italian, which serves not to complete the da capo form typical of Italian arias, but to reinstate the recurring theme. Notably, in the recurring theme, the subject is placed in the bass voice.