Carl Philip Emmanuel Bach, the composer's son, stated that his father played the violin well and clearly from youth until old age, and perfectly understood all string instruments.
Composition History
A manuscript of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, dating from 1720 and in the composer's own hand, suggests it was intended for concert use due to its careful presentation and lack of a dedicatee.
Notable Performances
The first complete recording of Bach's Sonatas and Partitas was made between 1929 and 1936 by Yehudi Menuhin, who was barely out of adolescence at the time.
Performer Biography
Jaakko Kuusisto, the violinist on this recording, is also a conductor and composer, and has held positions such as chief conductor of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra.
Cultural Impact
The Chaconne in D minor from Partita No. 2 is considered a monumental work, with Johannes Brahms describing it as one of the most wonderful and incomprehensible pieces of music.
Compositional Technique
Bach's Sonatas for solo violin adopt the Italian sonata da chiesa form, featuring a slow-fast-slow-fast movement structure, with improvisatory first movements leading to elaborate fugues.
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