Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 † 1750)

Concerto for harpsichord, strings and basso continuo No. 1 in D minor, BWV 1052

Composed in 1738 during Johann Sebastian Bach's Cöthen period, is thought to be based on a lost violin concerto. It is clear from the manuscript notation that the concerto was composed for the two manuals of the harpsichord. The piece is composed in three movements; the first one was later used by Bach as an organ prelude, and the slow movement became the first chorus of his Cantata No. 146, "Wir müssen durch viel Trübsal."


II. Adagio (0:00)


The second movement is in G minor, which is unusual in that most of Bach's concertos and sonatas that begin in a minor key have a second movement in a major key, and vice-versa. Like Bach's two violin concertos, the movement is built on a foundation of a solemn basso ostinato which also serves as the ritornello. The movement's structure is symmetrical, with the first half progressing from G minor to C minor, and then to a B flat major cadence; the progression then retraces its steps, through C minor and again back to G minor. Similarly, the opening and closing statements of the ritornello are both in unison. Throughout the piece, the soloist weaves an increasingly florid melody over the ground bass, adding a lyrical quality to the somber character of the movement