Bach: Sonata for Violin and Continuo BWV 1021 (for Cello)

The accompaniments to Bach’s “Sonatas for Violin and Basso Continuo” are notated by Bach simply as a figured bass line (bass notes + chord “code numbers”). The complexity of copying out the figured bass numbers means that the Basso Continuo parts of these sonatas are presented in the “cellofun editions” simply as unfigured bass lines, to be played by a second cello (or any other bass instrument).

This sonata is presented in both the original key (high-register version) and transposed down a fifth (“Easier Version”). In the lower version of this sonata, the transposition down a fifth of the basso continuo line often takes us below the cello’s lower limit of pitch, therefore some notes have needed to be transposed up a fourth. The choice of which notes go up and which go down is determined by the (lower) limit of the cello’s range, by the need to preserve the musical line (melodic direction of the bass line) and by the general tessitura level. When both the solo and accompaniment voices are in a very low tessitura, we sometimes transpose the entire lower voice up a fourth (rather than down a fifth) to avoid sounding like an aria for two elephants.

The first and second movements are played “attaca” (with no break between them) and are therefore presented together. Likewise for the third and fourth movements.

Movts I and II: ORIGINAL KEY: LITERAL TRANSCRIPTION     Movts III and IV: ORIGINAL KEY: LITERAL TRANSCRIPTION

Movts I and II: EASIER VERSION (down fifth): UNEDITED      Movts III and IV: EASIER VERSION (down fifth): UNEDITED