The harpsichord concertos, BWV 1052-1065, are concertos
for harpsichord, strings and continuo by Johann
Sebastian Bach. Of these, there are seven complete
concertos for a single harpsichord, (BWV 1052-1058),
three concertos for 2 harpsichords (BWV 1060-1062), two
concertos for 3 harpsichords (BWV 1063-1064), and one
concerto for 4 harpsichords, (BWV 1065).
All of Bach's harpsichord concertos (with the exception
of the Brandenburg concerto) are thought to be
arrangements made from earli...(+)
The harpsichord concertos, BWV 1052-1065, are concertos
for harpsichord, strings and continuo by Johann
Sebastian Bach. Of these, there are seven complete
concertos for a single harpsichord, (BWV 1052-1058),
three concertos for 2 harpsichords (BWV 1060-1062), two
concertos for 3 harpsichords (BWV 1063-1064), and one
concerto for 4 harpsichords, (BWV 1065).
All of Bach's harpsichord concertos (with the exception
of the Brandenburg concerto) are thought to be
arrangements made from earlier concertos for melodic
instruments probably written in Köthen. In many cases,
only the harpsichord version has survived.
Of all Bach's harpsichord concertos, this is probably
the only one that originated as a harpsichord work,
though not in an orchestral guise. The work originated
as a concerto for two harpsichords unaccompanied (in
the manner of the Italian Concerto, BWV 971), and the
addition of the orchestral parts may not have been by
Bach himself. The string orchestra does not fulfil an
independent role, and only appears to augment cadences;
it is silent in the middle movement. The harpsichords
have much dialogue between themselves and play in an
antiphonal manner throughout.
Although this Concerto in C Minor was originally
written for 2 Harpsichords (and possibly strings and
continuo), I created this arrangement for Two (2)
Concert (Pedal) Harps.
SHEET MUSIC