Viola da Gamba Sonatas (Bach)

Viola da Gamba Sonatas
BWV 1027 1028 1029
by J. S. Bach
A tenor viol, as painted by Raphael, c. 1510
Solo	Viola da gamba
Obbligato	Harpsichord

Bach, c. 1735

Sonata No. 1 in G major, BWV 1027, Sonata No.2 in D major, BWV 1028, and Sonata No.3 in G minor, BWV 1029, respectively, are three sonatas that Johann Sebastian Bach wrote for viola da gamba and harpsichord.

Background

There is no certainty as to when Bach wrote his three viola da gamba sonatas.^[1] Various musicologists suggest that they were composed as early as 1720, during Bach's Köthen period, at the court of Prince Leopold, where the Court Capelle included the well-known gamba player Christian Ferdinand Abel.^[2] Other evidence suggests that the sonatas were composed in Leipzig around 1740,^[3] where Bach was cantor at the St. Thomas Church, as well as director of the Collegium Musicum from 1723 onwards.

Structure

All three sonatas are written for viola da gamba and harpsichord. The first two were written as Sonata da chiesas, or "church sonatas."

Sonata in G Major, BWV 1027

First page of the manuscript of the harpsichord part for the Sonata in G Major, BWV 1027

	Viola da Gamba Sonata in G Major, BWV 1027 1. Adagio 2. Allegro ma non tanto 3. Andante 4. Allegro moderato Performed by John Michel (cello) with pianist
Problems playing these files? See media help.

1. Adagio
2. Allegro ma non tanto
3. Andante
4. Allegro moderato

Musicologists generally agree that Bach's first viola da gamba sonata is based on his Sonata in G major for Two Flutes and Basso Continuo, BWV 1039.^[4] The first movement begins in a style similar to the other two sonatas: the gamba introduces the theme which is then carried in the harpsichord. The weaving pattern continues. The second movement, however, begins with the harpsichord stating the theme, joined by the gamba in the dominant key. The last two movements continue in a similar way as well.^[5] The sublime, poetic andante is built over slow arpeggiations built over an eighth note base line. The last movement is a bright and lively fugue.^[6]

Sonata in D Major, BWV 1028

1. Adagio
2. Allegro
3. Andante
4. Allegro

The first movement begins with the gamba introducing a thematic fragment repeated by the harpsichord. The following movement includes echos and from the first one, especially of the latter half of the first movement. The third movement is in the rhythm of a siciliano, followed by a fast movement in 6/8 time. Parts of this sonata were used in Bach's St Matthew Passion. ^[7]

Sonata in G Minor, BWV 1029

	Viola da Gamba Sonata in G Minor, BWV 1029 1. Vivace 2. Adagio 3. Allegro Performed by John Michel (cello) with pianist
Problems playing these files? See media help.

1. Vivace
2. Adagio
3. Allegro

Baroque scholar Ulrich Siegele has suggested that Bach's last viola da gamba sonata began as a full concerto, possibly for two traverso flutes.^[8] The historian Philipp Spitta has called it "of the greatest beauty and most striking originality."^[9] The sonata begins with a theme by the viola da gamba, which is soon joined by the harpsichord. This is driven forward with lively figuration. The middle movement, in B flat major, allows the parts to intertwine even more, ending with the allegro, which begins with repeated notes in the gamba part soon to be taken up by the lower harpsichord part.

References

1. "Sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord, J.S.Bach". Bruno Procopio. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
2. Johnston, Blair. "Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard No. 1 in G major, BWV 1027". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
3. Lindemann Malone, Andrew. "Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard No. 2 in D major, BWV 1028". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
4. Butt, pp. 129
5. Anderson, Keith. "Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750): Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord". Naxos Recordings. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
6. Little, et. al, pp. 209
7. Kenyon, pp. 379
8. Lindemann Malone, Andrew. "Sonata for viola da gamba & keyboard No. 3 in G minor, BWV 1029". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
9. Berger, pp. 8

Sources

• Berger, Melvin (2011). Guide to Sonatas: Music for One or Two Instruments. Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307754882.
• Butt, John (1997). The Cambridge Companion to Bach. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9780521587808.
• Jenne, Natalie; Little, Meredith (2001). Dance and the Music of J.S. Bach. Indiana University Press. ISBN 9780253214645.
• Kenyon, Nicholas, Sir (2011). The Faber Pocket Guide to Bach. Faber & Faber. ISBN 9780571272006.

External Links

• Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, BWV 1027–1029: Scores at the International Music Score Library Project
• Paolo Pandolfo & Markus Hunninger: Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord (Playlist)