Johann Sebastian Bach

The "Concerto I" in A minor, BWV 1041, was composed by Johann Sebastian Bach as a Violin Concerto. It is unknown exactly when the work was composed, but copies dated 1730 suggest it may have been composed later than the other two concertos for violin, perhaps during Bach's time as director of the Collegium Musicum in Leipzig.

The piece has three movements:

1. Allegro moderato
2. Andante — with an ostinato style theme
3. Allegro assai

The motifs of the theme of the Allegro moderato appear in changing combinations and are separated and intensified throughout the movement.

In the Andante Bach uses an insistent pattern in the bass part that is repeated constantly in the movement. He focuses the variation in the harmonic relations.
In the final movement Bach relies on bariolage figures to generate striking acoustic effects.

The piece is a baroque concerto which is in ritornello form. This means that there is a main section that comes back in fragments in both the solo and orchestral parts. This 'ritornello' can be found in the first movement up until bar 24.

Although this piece was originally written for String Orchestra, I arranged it for Woodwind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, French Horn & Bassoon).