Bach: Concerto No. 4 BWV 595 for String Quartet - Score Only (arr. James M. Guthrie) by J. S. Bach Sheet Music for String Quartet at Sheet Music Direct

Product Details

Artist J. S. Bach

Score Type

PDF, Included with PASS

Composer J. S. Bach

Arranger James M. Guthrie

Format Digital Sheet Music

Pages 14

Arrangement String Quartet

Publisher jmsgu3

Level 3

Product ID 1716403

Genre Baroque Traditional Festival Contest Historic Chamber

Performance Group String Quartet

Product Description

Bach's Organ Concerto in C major, BWV 595, is a transcription of the first movement of a lost violin concerto by Johann Ernst of Saxe-Weimar. Composed during Bach's time in Weimar between 1713 and 1714, this piece is part of a series of organ concerto transcriptions Bach made from works by other composers, including Vivaldi.

The concerto features a festive and bouncy theme, characterized by:

Fresh, lively motifs
Frequent alternation between the great organ and choir organ
Repetitive structures and vibrant harmonies
Bach's arrangement reflects the schematic style of the young Duke Johann Ernst, inspired by Vivaldi's compositions1. The piece is performed on two manual keyboards and pedal, showcasing Bach's skill in adapting instrumental works for the organ.

While the original violin concerto is lost, Bach also created a complete arrangement of this work for harpsichord, cataloged as BWV 984. The organ concerto version, BWV 595, consists of a single movement without a tempo indication.

This concerto is significant as it demonstrates Bach's engagement with the Italian concerto style and his ability to rework compositions by his patrons and contemporaries for the organ. It also reflects the musical influences circulating in early 18th-century Germany, particularly the impact of Vivaldi's works on German composers.

This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.