“Everything about P.D.Q. Bach's "Dutch" Suite is neither: the country mentioned in the title, the ranges of the instruments employed (the ranges of instruments in the 18th century were defined in relation to Middle C; both the bassoon and tuba, therefore, were thought of as being largely below C level), the quality of inspiration and craftsmanship, and (probably) the place of composition, since the composer did most of his writing under the piano. The last and least son of the great Johann Sebastian Bach visited the Netherlands in all likelihood during the Period of the Great Wandering that preceded the Period of Great Immobility during which he produced the monument of incompetence the is his oeuvre. It is not at all implausible that the Panther Dance refers to animals seen in the zoological garden established by the famous painter Peter Paul Rubens more than a century before P.D.Q.'s visit. Whether the "Grand Dams" of the third movement are old mothers or large dykes remains to be proven, but the Lowland Fling is a well-known dance still performed to the very day in Holland; it is always performed below sea level and is characterized by bends. The "Dutch" Suite, modest to the point of being puny when compared to the "French" and "English" Suites of J.S. Bach, was written during the Contrition Period of P.D.Q. Bach's all-too-long creative life.”

– Professor Peter Schickle

Program note from the score.