Saturday 7 January 2012

SWEET REPOSE


“Each morning sees some task begin, Each evening sees it close; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A quiet day with an even quieter evening at home. Nothing better than some gorgeous Bach to cap the day off and lead into the repose of the night. Here is the second movement, Largo Ma Non Tanto, of Johann Sebastian Bach’s, Double Violin Concerto in D minor (BWV 1043).

The Concerto for Two Violins in D minor is perhaps one of the most famous works by J. S. Bach and considered among the best examples of the work of the late Baroque period. Bach wrote it in Leipzig sometime between 1730 and 1731, most likely for the Leipzig Collegium Musicum, of which he was the director. It also exists in an arrangement for two harpsichords, transposed into C minor (BWV 1062). The concerto comprises three movements: Vivace; Largo ma non tanto; Allegro.

In addition to the two soloists, the concerto is scored for strings and basso continuo. The concerto is characterised by the subtle yet expressive relationship between the two solo violins and the accompanying strings throughout the work. The musical structure of this piece uses fugal imitation and much counterpoint. The middle slow movement has a mood of tranquil repose and the sweet melodies are as mellifluous as a gentle lullaby. Enjoy!

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