Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin are a set of six which the composer began around 1703 and completed in 1720, but they were only published together more than 50 years after Bach’s death.
The sonatas each consist of four movements, in the typical slow-fast-slow-fast structure. The partitas, however, are more unorthodox. They make use of the usual baroque dance mixture of Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, and Gigue, but Bach added new elements to provide variety.
It is not known whether these works were performed during Bach’s lifetime or, if they were, who the performer was. It’s possible that the composer himself gave the first performance. According to his son, “in his youth, and until the approach of old age, he played the violin cleanly and powerfully”.
Even after publication in 1802, the pieces were largely ignored until the legendary violinist Joseph Joachim started performing them. Today, they are an essential part of the violin repertoire.
Here is violinist Yehudi Menuhin who will play these masterpieces for you:
