Concerto for Two Violins (Bach)

Concerto for Two Violins (Bach)

The Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings and Continuo in D Minor, BWV 1043, also known as the Double Violin Concerto or "Bach Double", is perhaps one of the most famous works by J. S. Bach and considered among the best examples of the work of the late Baroque period. Bach wrote it between 1730 and 1731 when he was the cantor at Thomasschule, in Leipzig, Germany.[1] Later in 1739, in Leipzig, he created an arrangement for two harpsichords, transposed into C minor, BWV 1062.[1] In addition to the two soloists, the concerto is scored for strings and basso continuo.

The concerto is characterized by the subtle yet expressive relationship between the violins throughout the work. The musical structure of this piece uses fugal imitation and much counterpoint.

The concerto comprises three movements:

  1. Vivace
  2. Largo ma non tanto
  3. Allegro

In 1940, George Balanchine made a ballet of this music called Concerto Barocco.

The first movement is featured in the Woody Allen film Hannah and her Sisters, Music of the Heart, "21", and Pirates of Silicon Valley. The second movement is featured in the film Children of a Lesser God.

Media

References

  1. ^ a b Steinberg, M. The Concerto: A Listener's Guide, p. 17-19, Oxford (1998) ISBN 0-19-513931-3

External links