Scoreload

Johann Sebastian Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 in A major, BWV 1055, is a remarkable piece with several interesting aspects:

1. Origins and Authorship:

   • The concerto is believed to have been composed by Bach during his tenure as Kapellmeister in Leipzig (1723–1750).
   • It's important to note that while Bach is credited with the concerto, it's common in the Baroque period for composers to borrow and adapt each other's works, so the precise origin can sometimes be challenging to determine.

2. Concerto Form:

   • The Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 follows the typical three-movement concerto form of the time: fast-slow-fast.
   • The movements are usually marked as Allegro, Larghetto, and Allegro.

3. Harpsichord as the Solo Instrument:

   • As with many of Bach's harpsichord concertos, BWV 1055 features the harpsichord as the primary solo instrument.
   • During the Baroque era, the harpsichord was a popular and versatile keyboard instrument.

4. Expressive Larghetto:

   • The second movement, Larghetto, is known for its expressive and lyrical qualities.
   • Bach often used slow movements to showcase the emotive capabilities of the solo instrument.

5. Rhythmic Drive in the Allegro Movements:

   • The outer movements (Allegro) typically showcase Bach's mastery of counterpoint and rhythmic drive.
   • Bach employs lively and engaging themes, often with intricate contrapuntal elements.

6. BWV Catalog:

   • The "BWV" in the concerto's title stands for "Bach Werke Verzeichnis," which translates to "Bach Works Catalog" in English.
   • The BWV catalog is a comprehensive listing of Bach's compositions, and each work is assigned a unique BWV number.

7. Instrumentation:

   • Apart from the solo harpsichord, the concerto is usually scored for a small orchestra, including strings and continuo.

Johann Sebastian Bach's Harpsichord Concerto No. 4 in A major is a captivating work that showcases the technical brilliance and artistic expression for which Bach is celebrated.