Bach, Sonata No. 2 in A minor for Solo Violin

Bach, Sonata No. 2 in A minor for Solo Violin (Edition Peters)

Edited by Carl Flesch

Composed in 1720 by Johann Sebastian Bach

4 movements:

• Grave
• Fuga
• Andante
• Allegro

Each of Bach's solo sonatas  for violin consist of four movements, in the typical slow-fast-slow-fast pattern of the sonata da chiesa. The first two movements are coupled as prelude and fugue. The slow third movement is lyrical, while the final movement has a similar musical structure as a common binary suite movement.  Sonata No 2 in A was later transcribed for harpsichord by the composer, catalogued as BWV 964.

In contrast to the sonatas, the partitas have more unorthodox structure. Although still making use of the usual baroque style of  allemande, courante, sarabande and gigue, with some omissions and the addition of galanteries, new elements were introduced into each partita to provide variety.