Bach - Violin Sonata No. 4 in C minor for Violin and Harpsichord, BWV 1017 (PDF Sheet Music / Digital Download)

Johann Sebastian Bach’s Sonata No. 4 in C minor, BWV 1017, stands as a pinnacle of the "Six Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord," a set that fundamentally redefined the relationship between the two instruments. Unlike the traditional sonata da chiesa, where the keyboard provided a simple figured bass, this work features a fully written-out, obbligato harpsichord part, creating a sophisticated three-part texture of equal voices. The opening Siciliano is particularly renowned for its somber, haunting beauty, characterized by a persistent rhythmic pulse and a long, singing violin line that evokes the atmosphere of a Passion aria. Across its four movements, the sonata balances rigorous contrapuntal structures with deep expressive intensity, moving from the rhythmic gravity of the opening to the driving, energetic finale, illustrating Bach’s mastery in blending Italianate lyricism with complex German polyphony.

This edition is a reissue of music originally published by Edition Peters.