CDLXXXVIII. BACH, J.S. Concerto in D Minor for Violin, BWV 1052r

CDLXXXVIII. BACH, J.S. (1685-1750)

Concerto in D Minor for Violin, BWV 1052r (1738)
1. [Allegro]
2. Adagio
3. Allegro
Shunske Sato, violin
Netherlands Bach Society
(21:55)

The r is for reconstruction.

Like yesterday's post, it was -- until recently -- quite unclear what the original solo instrument was. Bach -- having heard Vivaldi's sparkling violin concerti -- apparently wrote this for the violin, but it was deemed too difficult to play in his day.

It made its way into publication via a set of harpsichord concerti, given the BWV number of 1052.

Recent scholarship suggests that it was, in fact, written for the violin.

We'll agree to call it a putative violin concerto ...

1. [Allegro]

Note the bariolage on the last pages below. This gives us some indication that the original might have been written for the violin.

and this:

and this, for sure:

2. Adagio

3. Allegro

Compare the opening violin part to the harpsichord part: