Online Bach Lecture #3

Description

The Chaconne.
Along with the St. Matthew Passion, this is perhaps Bach’s best-known work composed for solo violin. This piece grabs you by the throat and never lets go. Johannes Brahms arranged the piece for piano, for the left hand only. It is one of the most difficult pieces ever composed for piano. Because only the left hand is used, it most closely resembles the original violin version. Brahms was a great admirer of Bach and found a way to play/listen to this piece even when there was no violinist around. He wrote this himself to Clara Schumann when he completed this arrangement. An incredibly emotional piece that Bach may have composed in memory of his unexpectedly deceased wife, Maria Barbara Bach. Bach did not write her name in the score, so we cannot be certain, but when you hear the piece, it would not be surprising.

Program
Chaconne, fifth movement from the 2nd partita for solo violin in D minor, BWV 1004. Arranged for piano, left hand only, by J. Brahms.

Technical details:
Camera and editing: Edwin Vermeulen
Sound: Edgar van Heertum
Lighting: Marco and Mike Driessen
Recorded in the Concert Hall in Tilburg