Johann Sebastian Bach mavens hearing this work for the
first time will recognize its relationship to the
Concerto for three harpsichords in C major (BWV 1064).
Indeed, the works might be described as identical
twins, for this so-called "reconstruction" is an
arrangement of the original version of the piece,
scored for three violins, strings, and continuo, which
was lost. The manuscript of the harpsichord version
survives and the music is thus better known in that
instrumental dressing. Arguably ...(+)
Johann Sebastian Bach mavens hearing this work for the
first time will recognize its relationship to the
Concerto for three harpsichords in C major (BWV 1064).
Indeed, the works might be described as identical
twins, for this so-called "reconstruction" is an
arrangement of the original version of the piece,
scored for three violins, strings, and continuo, which
was lost. The manuscript of the harpsichord version
survives and the music is thus better known in that
instrumental dressing. Arguably then, this string
rendition is the more authentic version of the music,
though Bach purists might object, citing the piece is
tainted by the work of another hand who has in effect
fashioned a transcription from a transcription.
In any event, the Concerto for three violins is cast in
three movements, with two lively Allegros framing a
lovely Adagio. The first movement brims with joy in its
busy contrapuntal interplay and colorful solo music.
The middle part of this panel contains some
challenging, cadenza-like passages for the violinists,
who must maintain the breathless pacing while
negotiating thorny, typically brilliantly imagined
writing.
The second movement features a lovely if forlorn main
theme that seems so well suited for the violin that one
wonders how the resourceful Bach was able to make it
work on the keyboard. Tension develops in the middle
section, the music darkening and seeming to struggle
along, but the beguiling main theme returns to close
the movement. With the finale we return to the joyous
character of the first movement. Again, the writing is
challenging and colorful, and features perhaps an even
more extreme mixture of the delicate and the
virtuosic.
Although originally written for 3 Harpsichords
(re-arranged for 3 Violins), Strings and Continuo, I
created this Transcription of the Concerto in D Major
(BWV 1064R) for 3 Solo Violins & Strings (2 Violins,
Viola, Cello & Bass).
PARTITION