Progetto Martha Argerich

italiano

Works

Johann Sebastian Bach

Chaconne for Piano in D minor (from Partita for Violin solo n. 2 BWV 1004)

 

The Chaconne that constitutes the fifth and last movement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004, for solo violin, is one of the great historical peaks of the violin literature. As is well known, it is a series of variations on a simple, four-bar bass line; the variations follow each other without interruption within a structure that is developed under a grandiose “arch” and that lasts about fifteen minutes. Although it was conceived specifically for the violin – of whose every known (up to that time) technical resource it makes use – the Chaconne is also in many respects a perfect example of “pure” music, and as such it has been arranged many times for other instruments; the most famous arrangements are those of Andrés Segovia for the guitar and of Ferruccio Busoni for the piano: these may properly be considered separate compositions in their own right.

listen to Real Media recording

Performers

Performance