This Sarabande is truly elegant. It is quite relaxed in mood, with no serious elements whatsoever. There are two performance tips. The first concerns the treatment of ornaments. Compared to other sarabandes in the French Suites, this sarabande features an overwhelmingly large number of ornaments. The writing, reminiscent of Rococo music, can be interpreted as a demand for improvisation. The author has consulted the Henle edition, where the ornaments are notated in a large size, indicating they are obligatory (if notated in a small size, they would be optional).

To play these ornaments in an ornamental manner, the key is to create as much distinction as possible from the main notes. Avoid a mechanical performance where the trill speed is too slow, making it sound like, for example, 16th or 32nd notes; instead, play them improvisationally so that anyone listening perceives them as ornaments.

The second point of attention concerns the performance of the themes. The right hand in measures 1-2 constitutes the first theme. The second is in measures 5-6, and the third in measures 9-10. The middle section is from measures 17-24; after its conclusion, the fourth theme is in measures 25-26, the fifth in measures 29-30, and the sixth in measures 33-34. All six of these themes possess distinct atmospheres. Please try playing and comparing each theme. The atmosphere varies with the chords, and even with the same chord, the pitch can alter the mood. The second tip is to perform each theme with a completely distinct expression. For your reference.