BACH UNACCOMPANIED, PART 2: VIOLIN
Mon. 9:30-10:30
Bach wrote a set of six works for unaccompanied violin around the same time as his cello suites. Three of the works are titled Sonata, which means they each have 4 movements alternating slow-fast-slow-fast as was common in the Sonata da Chiesa of the Baroque era. The other three are Partitas which utilize--and transcend--dance forms. He made much use of counterpoint (simultaneous melodies), including 3 fugues in the Sonatas and a magnificent, lengthy set of variations in the justly famous Chaconne in the second Partita. The fullness of sonority and depth of feeling in these works may tempt you to imagine that there are many players rather than the single violinist.
Facilitator: Robert Hoffman
