J.S. Bach: Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord Nº 2 BWV 1015: Transcribed For Cello

Here you will find the sheet music of a transcription for cello of Bach‘s second Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord BWV 1015. In this transcription for cello, it has been transposed down a fifth (see Transcribing Violin Music For Cello). For movements I, II and IV this means they are now in D major instead of A major whereas the third movement goes from F# minor into B minor. For the brave and/or curious cellist, the original key cello parts (one fifth higher) are also offered.

MOVEMENT I: DOLCE

In bars 25 and 26 three figures have been double-dotted.

1. Edited Performance Version
2.     Clean Performance Version
3.     Literal Transcription

1. Piano Score Adapted to New Key
2.     Piano Score Literal Transcription

1. Original Key Cello Part

A computer-generated play-along audio of the accompaniment, “played” on the guitar, can be found here below. If we actually download it then we can play it at different tempi.  A one-bar introduction has been added to the beginning to allow us to know when to start. In this recording there are quite a few small rits and breaths between the phrases.

MOVEMENT II: ALLEGRO

1. Edited Performance Version
2.    Clean Performance Version
3.    Literal Transcription

1. Piano Score Adapted to New Key
2.    Piano Score Literal Transcription

1. Original Key Cello Part

Here is an accompaniment audio, with a two-bar introduction:

MOVEMENT III: ANDANTE UN POCO

When we transpose this movement down a fifth it lies very low for both cello and accompaniment. For this reason much of the accompaniment (and large sections of the cello part also) have been transposed up a fourth rather than down a fifth. The rhythm of the first beat of the cello part in bar 7 has been changed to match that of bars 9 and 23. The movement ends on the Dominant chord, which is not a real ending and implies that we must start the next movement “attaca” (with no break).

1. Edited Performance Version
2.     Clean Performance Version
3.     Literal Transcription
4.     Easier Version

1.  Piano Score Adapted to New Key
2.     Piano Score Literal Transcription In New Key

Here is an accompaniment audio, with a one-bar introduction:

Original Key Cello Part

MOVEMENT IV: PRESTO

1. Edited Performance Version
2.     Clean Performance Version
3.     Literal Transcription

1. Piano Score Adapted to New Key
2.    Piano Score Literal Transcription

1. Original Key Cello Part

Here below is a computer-generated audio recording of the accompaniment, “played” on the guitar. If we download it we can play it at different speeds. Because the cello and accompaniment start together, a one-bar introduction has been added to allow us to know when to start playing.