15 Three-Part Inventions (Terzetti), BWV 787-801 for two violins and viola by Johann Sebastian Bach
Transcribed by Ferdinand David. Published by International
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) was a German composer of the Baroque period and widely considered one of the greatest composers in the Western canon. He carefully studied the work of his forebears and contemporaries, incorporating intricate counterpoint and harmonic innovations into a sophisticated style that represents the zenith of the Baroque tradition. Though he wrote predominantly religious music-including several passions and over 200 cantatas-he is most celebrated today for his profoundly moving instrumental music, including concertos, suites, and sonatas, including many for strings-such as his Cello Suites and Sonatas and Partitas for violin.
Bach's contrapuntal mastery is apparent in his Inventions and Sinfonias, BWV 772-801, a collection of thirty short musical exercises, originally for keyboard, featuring the principles of inversion, imitation, and canon writing. The first 15 (inventions) employ two contrapuntal voices, while the last 15 (sinfonias) employ three. In the 19th century, violinist Ferdinand David arranged these charming pieces into chamber works for strings, appropriate for amateurs. This collection contains the Sinfonias, BWV 787-801 for two violins and viola. Parts only. Intermediate-advanced level, Grade 4.
CONTENTS:
- Sinfonia No. 1 in C Major, BWV 787
- Sinfonia No. 2 in C minor, BWV 788
- Sinfonia No. 3 in D Major, BWV 789
- Sinfonia No. 4 in D minor, BWV 790
- Sinfonia No. 5 in E-flat Major, BWV 791
- Sinfonia No. 6 in E Major, BWV 792
- Sinfonia No. 7 in E minor, BWV 793
- Sinfonia No. 8 in F Major, BWV 794
- Sinfonia No. 9 in F minor, BWV 795
- Sinfonia No. 10 in G Major, BWV 796
- Sinfonia No. 11 in G minor, BWV 797
- Sinfonia No. 12 in A Major, BWV 798
- Sinfonia No. 13 in A minor, BWV 799
- Sinfonia No. 14 in B-flat Major, BWV 800
- Sinfonia No. 15 in B minor, BWV 801
