Bach Six Sonatas for violin and obbligato Harpsichord: Sonatas 1-3 (Barenreiter)

Bach Six Sonatas for Violin and Obbligato Harpsichord – Sonatas Nos. 1–3 by Johann Sebastian Bach, published by Bärenreiter, presents the first three sonatas of Bach’s revolutionary set for violin and obbligato harpsichord, works that redefine chamber music by granting both instruments full equality; far from a soloist-with-continuo model, these sonatas unfold as intricate musical dialogues in which violin and keyboard share thematic responsibility, contrapuntal complexity, and expressive depth, offering performers an experience closer to intimate chamber music than traditional Baroque accompaniment.

Key features:

• Establishes a true partnership between violin and keyboard, with both voices carrying equal musical weight
• Rich contrapuntal writing creates the feeling of trio sonatas distilled into two players
• Demands heightened listening, balance, and ensemble sensitivity, not solo dominance
• Explores a wide expressive range, from poised elegance to intense inward lyricism
• Encourages historically informed articulation while remaining deeply expressive and human
• Ideal for performers who enjoy intellectual depth paired with intimate musical conversation
• A cornerstone repertoire for understanding Bach’s most forward-thinking chamber writing