There are two different scholarly explanations of the
origin of Johann Sebastian Bach's (1685-1750) Concerto
for Three Harpsichords in D minor. One holds that the
work is a transcription or arrangement of works by
other composers in the manner of Bach's adaptation of
the violin concertos for organ. Given the originality
and the expressivity of the D minor concerto, this
explanation seems unlikely to other scholars, who
assert instead that the work was composed by Bach for
domestic musicmaking be...(+)
There are two different scholarly explanations of the
origin of Johann Sebastian Bach's (1685-1750) Concerto
for Three Harpsichords in D minor. One holds that the
work is a transcription or arrangement of works by
other composers in the manner of Bach's adaptation of
the violin concertos for organ. Given the originality
and the expressivity of the D minor concerto, this
explanation seems unlikely to other scholars, who
assert instead that the work was composed by Bach for
domestic musicmaking between himself and his two eldest
sons, Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philip Emmanuel.
These scholars point to the dominance of the first
harpsichord part, especially to its two cadenzas in the
opening movement, and to the Germanic gravitas of the
unison theme that permeates the opening movement like
the unison theme of the Harpsichord Concerto in D minor
(BWV 1052). Whichever explanation is correct (and at
this point, it is unlikely that conclusive proof will
ever be found), all scholars agree that the Concerto
for Three Harpsichords in D minor is one of Bach's
finest concerted works. The weight and power of the
fast outer movements, the pathos of the central Alla
Siciliano, the beauty of the work's melodies, and the
contrapuntal skill with which they are developed all
place this concerto among Bach's best harpsichord
concertos
Although originally written for 3 Harpsichords, Strings
and Continuo, I created this Arrangement of the
Concerto in D Minor (BWV 1063) for Winds (Flute, Oboe,
Bb Clarinet, English Horn, French Horn & Bassoon) &
Strings (2 Violins, Viola, Cello & Bass).
PARTITION