Description

As Court Music Director in Cöthen, Johann Sebastian Bach primarily devoted himself to instrumental music. Among the works he composed there were his Sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord, BWV 1014–1019, which have survived as a complete cycle. These sonatas present equal challenges for the violinist and harpsichordist/pianist, and along with Bach's flute and viola da gamba sonatas, they laid the foundation for the modern duo sonata form. The usual accompanying function of the basso continuo gives way to an independent keyboard part that lends each sonata a distinct profile.

This Urtext edition is largely based on the manuscript copies made by Bach's son-in-law, Johann Christian Altnickol. The Sonata in G Major, BWV 1019, exists in quite varying versions, each with different individual movements. To capture this diversity, two older versions of the sonata are published here in an appendix, making this edition especially valuable for Bach enthusiasts.