Concertos for Violin
Program Notes by Martin Pearlman
These notes include all of Bach's concertos that have come down to us, except for concertos for a keyboard instrument without accompaniment and surviving fragments of concertos.
Violin Concerto in A minor, BWV 1041
This concerto, one of only two for solo violin that have come down to us, is generally thought to date from Bach's pre-Leipzig years at Cöthen (1717-1723), a time when he wrote numerous concertos. However, the only surviving manuscripts are of parts that were copied out around 1730. By that time Bach was directing his Collegium Musicum in addition to his fulfilling his regular church duties. Thus this concerto may well have been played by the Collegium in its series of concerts at Zimmermann's coffeehouse in Leipzig -- or, as some recent writers have suggested, perhaps it was even composed around that time.
It was also for his Collegium Musicum in the early 1730's that Bach transcribed this violin concerto as a concerto for harpsichord, transposing it down a step to G minor and adapting some of the violin figuration for keyboard. (See the Harpsichord Concerto in G minor, BWV 1058.) That no doubt would have given Bach himself or one of his sons the opportunity to play the solo part.
Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042
This violin concerto and the one in A minor are the only concertos by Bach for solo violin that have come down to us, although there is little doubt that he wrote more. It dates from his years in Cöthen (1717-1723). The lengthy da capo first movement begins with three dramatic strokes of an E major triad and then builds an intense drive with constant sixteenth notes. The beautiful, lyrical second movement opens with a theme in the bass that repeats throughout the movement, as the solo violin spins a highly ornamented melodic line over it. The third movement is a spirited rondo with an infectious dance rhythm in 3/8 time.
This work has come down to us only in a manuscript written by copyist after Bach's death. What we do have in Bach's hand is a transcription of it for harpsichord that he made later in his life. (See the Harpsichord Concerto in D Major, BWV 1054.)
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
This popular work is Bach's only surviving concerto for two melody instruments. Like the concerto for solo violin in A minor, it is thought to come from his Cöthen period (1717-23), although the only surviving sources for it come from around 1730, when he was directing the Collegium Musicum in Leipzig. Thus it was probably performed by the Collegium in its series of concerts at Zimmermann's coffeehouse. Bach later transcribed this concerto as a concerto for keyboards, as he did also for his two solo violin concertos. That transcription, transposed down a step and adapted for the new soloists, is his Concerto in C minor for Two Harpsichords, BWV 1062.
Boston Baroque Performances
Concerto in A minor for violin, BWV 1041
September 26, 2020
Livestream video, Fraser Studio, WGBH, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson
January 2, 2017
Strand Theater, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson
December 3, 2016 & January 1, 2017
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson
January 1, 1988
Sander’s Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
November 13, 1987
St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Philadelphia, PA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
July 15, 1987
George’s Island, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
September 28, 1984
First and Second Church, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
Concerto in E Major for violin, BWV 1042
December 31, 2018 & January 1, 2019
Sanders Theatre, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson
December 30, 2018
Strand Theater, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson
March 13, 2009
Casals Festival, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson, violin
December 31, 2008 & January 1, 2009
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Christina Day Martinson, violin
December 31, 2002 & January 1, 2003
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
January 1, 1989
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
January 4, 1985
First and Second Church, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
October 15, 1982
NEC’s Jordan Hall, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloist:
Daniel Stepner, violin
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
December 31, 2011 & January 1, 2012
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Christina Day Martinson
Julie Leven
January 1, 1996
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Daniel Stepner
Julie Leven
December 31, 1995
First Night, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Daniel Stepner
Julie Leven
January 1, 1990
Sanders Theater, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Daniel Stepner
Julie Leven
December 31, 1989
First Night, Boston
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Daniel Stepner
Julie Leven
January 4, 1985
First and Second Church, Boston, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Daniel Stepner
Anthony Martin
February 13, 1975
University Lutheran Church, Cambridge, MA
Martin Pearlman, conductor
Soloists:
Jean Lamon
Linda Cummiskey