Description

In early 1729, Bach took on the role of director for the "Schottischen Collegium Musicum," a musical organization comprised of students and local residents. This initiative led to the creation of several notable harpsichord concertos, most of which were likely adapted from existing concertos for melodic instruments, primarily the violin or oboe. Among these works, the Concerto for Harpsichord and Strings in G minor, BWV 1058, stands out as the last complete piece documented in Bach's original autograph score of harpsichord concertos, written around 1738 and preserved in the Berlin Staatsbibliothek (Mus. Ms. Bach 234). Although it was later bound into its current position, this concerto represents the beginning of Bach's efforts to reimagine concertos for melodic instruments and strings as harpsichord concertos. Notably, the original model for this work, the Concerto for Violin and Strings in A minor (BWV 1041), still exists, allowing for a detailed analysis of Bach's arrangement techniques. The Urtext of the New Bach Edition offers full scores, parts, and a two-keyboard reduction, all available for purchase.