The Complete Keyboard Concerti

Abstract

Concerto fot two Harpsichord in C Minor, BWV 1062 BWV 1062 As is the case with all of Bach´s harpsichord concerti, the C minor concerto is a transcription of an already existing work, the Concerto for Two Violins and String Orcestra in D minor, BWV 1043. In addition, the C minor concerto is consistent with the other harpsichord con¬certi betse it is, like the majority of these works, a more-or-less faithful transcription of its pred6sor. In this particular instance, however, the predecessor is something of a war-horse in: Baroque canon: the D minor concerto is one of the most famous of Bach's chamber works a is traditionally one of the best-loved as well Like a few of the other transcriptions for harpsichord (in particular the D major concerto, BWV 10' and the G minor concerto, BWV 1058) the C minor is fairly straightforward in its approache right hand replaces the violin line while the left enhances, takes over, or doubles the conto bass. The first movement is an energetic fugue The second movement is slower (AndanhnA is of breathtaking melodic and tonal beauty. The canonic finale (Allegro assai) is overwming in terms of sheer energy and dynamic impulse Finally, like the other transcrip¬tions of 'in works for harpsichord, the Concerto for Two Harpsichords in C Minor is a study of Bach'sproach to overcoming the difficulties of translating the legato voice of the violin for the entialiy pizzicato voice of the harpsichord. Concerto in D Minor for Three Harpsichords, BWV 1063 Concerto in A Minor for Four Harpsichords, BWV 1065 Concerto in C Major for Three Harpsichords, BWV 1064 We find ang Bach's works a wealth of concerti and concerto transcriptions based on his own mo< as well as on those of other composers. Such is the case of the two concerti for three haichords and orchestra here: there is some evidence to suggest that they may be transcripts of works by other composers. On the other hand, it is impossible to imagine inyone » might have been able to write the originals save Bach alone The Certo for Four Harpsichords, in A Minor, is a transcription of Vivaldi's Concerto for Four lins, in B Minor — No. 10 of L'estro armonico, Op. 3 And needless to say, one if the mcemarkable glimpses into Bach's working methods is afforded us by a detailed com-)arison oe two versions. Insteat analysing each of the three concerti individually, it is a good deal more interesting o discuss transformation of Vivaldi's concerto style in the hands of Bach, as well as the ntrie copt of concerto writing as such during that period.