Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042 for violin 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.
Bach took interest in the concerto form during his Cothen period, when he intensely studied the works of Vivaldi and Corelli. Three violin concertos survive, including this Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042. The exuberant ritornello first movement has surprising minor mode diversions; the deeply expressive second movement is chaconne-like, with heartfelt melodies in the violin above a ground bass-possibly the greatest part of the work. The dance-like finale gives virtuosic fireworks to the solo violin. Bach evidently thought highly of the music, as he later arranged it for harpsichord and orchestra. This Henle urtext edition contains marked and unmarked parts, as well as critical and historical commentary. Advanced level, Grade 5.
