J. S. Bach: Sonatas & Partitas for Solo Violin

Featuring

Esther Hoppe
Johann Sebastian Bach

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Historical Context

Few composers before Bach had written works for unaccompanied violin, and it is believed Bach knew of Johann Paul von Westhoff's collection of solo violin suites from 1696.

Instruments

The "De Ahna" Stradivarius, a violin from 1722, has rarely been played in concert over the past 40 years, making this Bach recording its CD debut.

Compositional Technique

Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin set new standards in playing and composition, bringing the art of creating polyphonic music on a single melodic instrument to an unsurpassed level of perfection.

Critical Reception

The six Violin Sonatas and Partitas were widely copied in the 18th century, but only became widely known after violinist Joseph Joachim began playing them frequently in concert halls.

Composition History

Johann Sebastian Bach composed his Violin Sonatas and Partitas while serving as Kapellmeister in Köthen (1717-1723), completing the cycle around 1720.

Instruments

Esther Hoppe recorded this album using two different violins: her own Gioffredo Cappa (1690) and a newly acquired "De Ahna" Stradivarius (1722).

Performer Biography

Esther Hoppe, the Swiss violinist, won first prize at the International Mozart Competition in Salzburg in 2002 and numerous awards with the Tecchler Trio, including the International ARD Competition in Munich.