The Inventions and Sinfonias is a collection of short
pieces Johann Sebastian Bach wrote for the musical
education of his young pupils. These are among the
finest examples of artistic gems ever written for this
purpose, and probably because of this, they became very
popular among Bach's pupils and others ever since they
were written.
The work comprises fifteen two-part, each named
'invention', and fifteen three-part pieces, named
'sinfonia'. These two groups of pieces are arranged in
an...(+)
The Inventions and Sinfonias is a collection of short
pieces Johann Sebastian Bach wrote for the musical
education of his young pupils. These are among the
finest examples of artistic gems ever written for this
purpose, and probably because of this, they became very
popular among Bach's pupils and others ever since they
were written.
The work comprises fifteen two-part, each named
'invention', and fifteen three-part pieces, named
'sinfonia'. These two groups of pieces are arranged in
an identical fashion—in ascending order by key—so
that there is little doubt that Bach's intention was to
bring them together as a single work. This is also
confirmed by the way they are carefully written in his
autograph fair copy penned in 1723. On every facing
page of an open volume each piece demonstrates the
contrapuntal technique, while, at the same time,
explores a wide range of musical expressions using
various styles and developing the motives in a logical
fashion.
Although originally composed for Harpsichord, I created
this arrangement for Viola Duet.
PARTITION