Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin

J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin
Monica Huggett
Virgin Veritas 45205 (2 CDs)

Contents:

    Sonata No. 1 in G minor, BWV 1001
  1. Adagio
  2. Fuga: Allegro
  3. Siciliana
  4. Presto

    5. Partita No. 1 in B minor, BWV 1002
  5. Allemande
  6. Double
  7. Corrente
  8. Double: Presto
  9. Sarabande
  10. Double
  11. Tempo di Borea
  12. Double

    13. Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003
  13. Grave
  14. Fuga
  15. Andante
  16. Allegro
    Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004
  1. Allemande
  2. Corrente
  3. Sarabanda
  4. Giga
  5. Ciaccona

    6. Sonata No. 3 in C major, BWV 1005
  6. Adagio
  7. Fuga
  8. Largo
  9. Allegro assai

    10. Partita No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006
  10. Preludio
  11. Loure
  12. Gavotte en Rondeaux
  13. Menuet I
  14. Menuet II
  15. Bourée
  16. Gigue

Instrument: violin - Antonius & Hieronymous Amati, 1618

Playing time: 153'

Recording dates: September-December 1995 (London & Middlesex)

These works survive in a carefully prepared hand-written manuscript dated 1720, and circulated in other copies made during Bach's lifetime. The Baroque solo violin genre was quite short-lived, and so Bach's collection has naturally been central to the repertory, one which has only really been expanded in the 20th century. Of course, these works also suffered from a tendency to write piano accompaniment parts for them in the 19th century.

The collection alternates the Sonatas in da chiesa style and a more old-fashioned idiom with the dance-based Partitas. The latter are all rather different, and of course the D minor Chaconne is the longest movement of the group and has become quite famous.

Other major recordings of Bach's set of solo violin pieces:

J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, BWV 1001-1006
Sigiswald Kuijken
Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 77043 (2 CDs)
J.S. Bach: Six Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin
Jaap Schröder
Smithsonian Collection ND 0382 (2 CDs)
J.S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas, BWV 1001-1006
Sergiu Luca
Nonesuch 73030 (2 CDs)
J.S. Bach: Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin
Elizabeth Wallfisch
Hyperion Dyad 22009

Some recordings featuring Monica Huggett in Bach:

J.S. Bach: Sonatas for Harpsichord & Violin
Monica Huggett / Ton Koopman
Philips 410 401 (2 CDs)
J.S. Bach: Musikalisches Opfer
Ensemble Sonnerie - Monica Huggett
Virgin Veritas 45139
J.S. Bach: Concertos for Violin
Monica Huggett / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra - Ton Koopman
Erato 75358

And a small sampling of other repertory:

A Gift of Nature
English Chamber Music of the 17th Century
Trio Sonnerie
Teldec (Das Alte Werk) 90841
Fontana / Cima / Turini - Sonatas
Ensemble Sonnerie
Virgin Veritas 45199 (2 CDs)
Birds, Beasts & Battles
Monica Huggett / European Community Baroque Orchestra
Channel Classics 4392

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Todd M. McComb