Description

Johann Sebastian Bach’s cycle of three sonatas and partitas each for violin solo undoubtedly represents a pinnacle of western violin music. In terms of both composition and play, the works set new standards that have not lost any of their relevance over time.

BMV 1001-1006

The new publication of the Sonatas and Partitas BWV 1001-1006 (BA 5256) constitutes a complete revision of our older edition (BA 5116). The musical text has been edited by Peter Wollny and represents the most up-to-date state of research as published in the New Bach Edition – Revised (NBArev), volume BA 5937-01. The edition is mainly based on Bach’s unusually clear autograph which is considered among the most beautiful manuscripts by the composer. All relevant secondary sources have been taken into consideration in order to clarify ambiguities. These include five contemporary copies, including one by Anna Magdalena Bach, and four manuscripts from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The musical text has been newly engraved with a clear and generous layout, whereby page turns and pagination have been retained from the previous edition. This allows the straightforward navigation between a copy of the previous and this new edition. The detailed Preface (Ger/Eng) provides information on the genesis of the Sonatas and Partitas, their context and the sources.