Double Concerto in D minor, BWV 1043 for two violins and piano by Johann Sebastian Bach
Urtext edition by Hans Eppstein, with markings by Kurt Guntner. Published by Henle
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.
Of Bach's violin concertos, his Double Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (1730) is the most famous and perhaps his finest. The subtle, expressive relationship between the two solo instruments is not so much competitive, but collaborative-though both are independent, their melodic lines dovetail in counterpoint, united in their discourse. The work contains some of Bach's most memorable melodic writing. This excellent Henle urtext edition includes historical and critical commentary, as well as marked and unmarked parts for both solo violins in addition to the piano score. Advanced level, Grade 5.
