Bach - part two


corrente in B minor

Here is my fingering for the corrente from the sonata in B minor for solo violin. I've been playing many of the pieces from the Bach sonatas "plectrum-style" for quite a while. In particular, the continuous single lines of the presto, the doubles, and this corrente. They are well within the range of and translate easily to guitar and, as studies, are attractive in that many challenging issues such as scales, arpeggios, and large intervallic leaps must be dealt with in ways far more engaging than one's usual daily drills. But, because of this adaptability, there is a temptation to rush in and sight read past their biggest challenge: making music. The corrente, for instance, can be played almost entirely at the seventh position (which is precisely what I did - for decades). Not the best sounding choice. So, here is what I feel is a more musical solution: employing techniques such as single string lines for a cello-like legato effect (e.g.: measures 13-14) and shifting positions for an overall more uniformed phrasing (e.g.: measures 65-68).

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links
my previous entry on the presto from the sonata in G minor here
more about the violin sonatas here
The Paul Galbraith rendition of these works remains an all time favorite classical guitar recording. Available here.
the violin score for the six suites is available for purchase here

Posted: Thu - September 6, 2007 at 05:56 PM          

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