Bach: Concerto No. 2 BWV 593 for String Quartet - Score Only by Johann Sebastian Bach String Quartet - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1603728

Bach's Organ Concerto in A minor, BWV 593, is a transcription of Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto in A minor for two violins, RV 522. Composed during Bach's time in Weimar between 1713 and 1714, this work is part of a series of organ concerto transcriptions Bach made from instrumental concertos by Vivaldi and Prince Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar.

The concerto consists of three movements:

[Allegro (or) Tempo Giusto]
Adagio
Allegro

Bach's transcription demonstrates his ability to adapt violin-specific techniques to the organ while adding his musical touches. He remained surprisingly faithful to Vivaldi's original, transferring even challenging violin passages to the organ. However, Bach enhanced the piece by adding ornaments, complementing the middle voice, and reinforcing harmonies.

The work showcases Bach's skill in blending the solid German style with Italian musical architecture, contributing to developing his unique musical style. This transcription and others from the same period played a significant role in the 20th-century revival of interest in Vivaldi's music.

The concerto is scored for two manual keyboards and pedals, utilizing the organ's entire range. The tutti sections are played on the great organ, while the solo sections are performed on the choir organ. This arrangement allows for a dynamic and varied performance that captures the essence of the original violin concerto while fully exploiting the organ's capabilities.