Bach mavens hearing this work for the first time will recognize its relationship to the Concerto for three harpsichords in C major (BWV 1064). Indeed, the works might be described as identical twins, for this so-called "reconstruction" is an arrangement of the original version of the piece, scored for three violins, strings, and continuo, which was lost. The manuscript of the harpsichord version survives and the music is thus better known in that instrumental dressing. Arguably then, this string rendition is the more authentic version of the music, though Bach purists might object, citing the piece is tainted by the work of another hand who has in effect fashioned a transcription from a transcription.

In any event, the Concerto for three violins is cast in three movements, with two lively Allegros framing a lovely Adagio. The first movement brims with joy in its busy contrapuntal interplay and colorful solo music. The middle part of this panel contains some challenging, cadenza-like passages for the violinists, who must maintain the breathless pacing while negotiating thorny, typically brilliantly imagined writing.

The second movement features a lovely if forlorn main theme that seems so well suited for the violin that one wonders how the resourceful Bach was able to make it work on the keyboard. Tension develops in the middle section, the music darkening and seeming to struggle along, but the beguiling main theme returns to close the movement. With the finale we return to the joyous character of the first movement. Again, the writing is challenging and colorful, and features perhaps an even more extreme mixture of the delicate and the virtuosic.

© All Music Guide

Portions of Content Provided by All Music Guide.
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.