The violin was one of Bach's favourite instruments and inspired his most lyrical outpourings. We know he was greatly influenced by the Italian masters whose work he discovered during his Weimar years - by the power of Frescobaldi, the melodic flexibility of Corelli, the sunny grace of Vivaldi - but he developed his own wonderful artistry in writing music of polyphonic density for the violin and 'playing' with it's sound palette. His deep understanding of the instrument clearly enabled him to exploit it's full potential and to write as well as perform music of the utmost virtuosity.
1 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018: I. [Largo]
2 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018: II. Allegro
3 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018: III. Adagio
4 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 5 in F minor, BWV 1018: IV. Vivace
5 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016: I. Adagio
6 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016: II. Allegro
7 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016: III. Adagio Ma Non Tanto
8 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 3 in E Major, BWV 1016: IV. Allegro
9 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017: I. Siciliano. Largo
10 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017: II. Allegro
11 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017: III. Adagio
12 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017: IV. Allegro
13 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019: I. Allegro
14 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019: II. Largo
15 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019: III. Allegro
16 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019: III. Allegro
17 Sonata for Violin & Keyboard No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019: V. Allegro
The violin was one of Bach's favourite instruments and inspired his most lyrical outpourings. We know he was greatly influenced by the Italian masters whose work he discovered during his Weimar years - by the power of Frescobaldi, the melodic flexibility of Corelli, the sunny grace of Vivaldi - but he developed his own wonderful artistry in writing music of polyphonic density for the violin and 'playing' with it's sound palette. His deep understanding of the instrument clearly enabled him to exploit it's full potential and to write as well as perform music of the utmost virtuosity.
