Bach Sonatas and Partitas: Performance and Tutorial Videos

This video explains a basic concept that is elaborated on in many of the videos that follow.

BWV 1001	BWV 1002
BWV 1003	BWV 1004
Playing Bach	Arranging Bach
Understanding Bach	Articulation in Early Music

J.S. Bach, Adagio in G Minor, BWV 1001, with score

Sonata I in G-Minor, BWV 1001, is now available for purchase, either through our website at www.SonatasAndPartitas.com or through Les Productions D’oz

Many tha...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, I -Adagio

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. The opening movement from Bach's Sonatas and Partitas, for solo violin. Arranged for guitar by Frank Koonce and Heather De...

Duration: 4:05

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, I - Adagio, Tutorial (Part 1)

The Adagio, BWV 1001, not only opens the G-minor sonata, but it also opens the whole collection of Sonatas and Partitas.

Just as the opening chord is a qui...

Duration: 17:04

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, I - Adagio, Tutorial (Part 2)

As mentioned in most reference books, this movement is in three sections, with the last section mirroring the first. Adagio, BWV 1001, part one, demonstrated ...

Duration: 7:11

Articulation in Early Music (Part 1)

There is a lot that we can learn about how to articulate Bach’s music by studying the violin slurs, also often referred to as articulation markings, in the Sona...

Duration: 12:39

Articulation in Early Music (Part 2)

The purpose of this video is to help performers interpret Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas with respect to the articulation.

There is a lot of information c...

Duration: 12:56

Arranger's Corner: BWV 1001, Adagio, Choosing Your Bass Notes

There are many different questions and issues that come into play when an arranger is faced with deciding whether to change Bach’s original. One of the mor...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga | Heather DeRome, Guitare

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas are available at ...

Duration: 6:16

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 1)

Bach’s theoretical training differed from ours. Rather than identifying chords in terms of functional harmony (for example, I-IV-V), music education in Bach...

Duration: 6:56

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, subjects and answers

If you think the video, J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 1), required a geek alert, then you may think that this one requires a do...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 2)

This video discusses the opening section of the G-minor Fuga, BWV 1001, and demonstrates how Bach establishes his key of G minor.

It is often tempting to l...

Duration: 4:23

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 3)

This video is for performers who want to understand the overall arch of this monumental piece.

It has been said that after exploring the keys of G, D, and...

Duration: 14:22

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 4)

This video deals only with the final section of the G-minor Fuga, BWV 1001, and is for those making arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas, and for performe...

Duration: 6:43

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, III - Siciliana in B flat

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas are available at ...

Duration: 3:14

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, III - Siciliana in B flat, Tutorial (Part 1)

This video begins by demonstrating how, once again, Bach can use the simplest compositional devices, such as an ascending arpeggio and a descending scale, to crea...

Duration: 5:45

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, III - Siciliana in B flat, Tutorial (Part 2)

This video is packed with food for thought for violinists, guitarists, and Bach enthusiasts alike.

It explores how Bach manifestly deviates from a theoret...

Duration: 10:49

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, IV - Presto

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. The closing movement of the first sonata, played on a Dominelli guitar. Enjoy...

Duration: 4:51

J.S. Bach, BWV 1001, Sonata 1 in G Minor, IV - Presto, Tutorial

A thorough discussion of the Presto, BWV 1001 in G Minor, the video describes how the piece refers to and alludes to the other movements in the first sonata,...

Duration: 13:41

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas are available at ...

Duration: 6:19

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda, a Historical Perspective (Part 1)

This video discusses how the movement not only introduces the first partita, BWV 1002, but also sets the stage for all the partitas in the collection.

It i...

Duration: 6:51

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda, a Historical Perspective (Part 2)

This video takes an in-depth look at the intriguing historical provenance of the Allemanda in B Minor, BWV 1002, which epitomizes in so many ways the so-calle...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda, a Tutorial (Part 3)

A performer's guide to the first half of the Allemanda.

This video discusses the architecture of the piece, looking at the harmony, counterpoint, and overall ...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda, a Tutorial (Part 4)

This video discusses the second half of the Allemanda, clearly showing how Bach has achieved the long-range arch of the piece.

A valuable discussion for p...

Duration: 13.27

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda Double

PERFORMANCE VIDEO - Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas are available here at ...

Duration: 6:19

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Allemanda Double, Tutorial

If one were to think of this Allemanda as being a ballroom dance, we may think its Double as being more like a barn dance.

The perpetual strong-weak slurs...

Duration: 4:57

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Corrente

PERFORMANCE VIDEO. Heather DeRome, Guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Mastered by Heather DeRome.

Rainfall Woodland: WOW!!!! BEAUTIFUL...

Duration: 3.46

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Corrente Double/Presto

PERFORMANCE VIDEO. Heather DeRome guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Mastered by Ian Welsh of Nest studios. Feb, 2020.

Thor Sten: Supe...

Duration: 5.01

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Corrente Double/Presto, Alternative Fingerings

Alternative fingerings, to complement the ones published in the Koonce/DeRome guitar arrangements of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas.

Also, a demonstration a...

Duration: 10:08

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Corrente Double/Presto, Tutorial

Practice tips to help you play faster!

Let's face it, most of us would love to be able to play faster. And while playing fast should never be the ultimate...

Duration: 10:33

Student's Corner: Playing Fast in Perpetual Motion

The title tells it all—Oh but wait! There are also exploding rockets!

Seriously though, players and audiences alike are irresistibly attracted to the ...

Duration: 9:08

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Sarabande

PERFORMANCE VIDEO, Heather DeRome, guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy! Our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas are available at SonatasA...

Duration: 2.55

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Sarabande Double

PERFORMANCE VIDEO. Heather DeRome, guitar. Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy!

Greg
Beautiful performance and beautifully recorded.

Jea...

Duration: 2.09

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Sarabande, Tutorial (Part 1)

This video discusses the sarabande’s illustrious career, from its rather dubious beginnings when it was banned in polite circles due to obscenity.

We th...

Duration: 7:30

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Sarabande, Tutorial (Part 2)

This video discusses the B-minor Sarabande's use of hemiola and Phrygian cadences, as well as the defining characteristics of a French sarabande in which the ...

Duration: 7:26

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Sarabande, Tutorial (Part 3)

The video discusses the second half of the Sarabande, BWV 1002, touching on many aspects that will help performers on any instrument.

We look at a magical...

Duration: 12:12

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Tempo di Borea

PERFORMANCE VIDEO, Heather DeRome guitar.
Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome

Terry Hernon
What a way to start a Saturday. Thank you, Heather.

...

Duration: 3:41

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Tempo di Borea, Tutorial

This is a seriously fun video

aimed at all musicians, whether amateurs or concert performers, to make you smile and to help you see this piece in a new way...

Duration: 9:20

J.S. Bach, BWV 1002, Partita 1 in B Minor, Tempo di Borea Double

PERFORMANCE VIDEO, Heather DeRome, guitar.
Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Enjoy!

For added insights, see the tutorial videos about articulation in...

Duration: 3:50

Articulation in Early Music (Part 3) Tempo di Borea Double, Tutorial

Really passionate about this topic! Hands-on help for guitarists who want to do more with articulation.
Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas, and indeed all the music ...

Duration: 11:05

Arranger's Corner: La-sol-fa-mi Bassline

This video in the Arranger’s Corner is part of an ongoing “sub-series” that discusses the various issues and obstacles that may lead an arranger to consider ma...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, I - Grave

PERFORMANCE VIDEO. Heather DeRome, guitar.
Arranged by Frank Koonce and Heather DeRome. Score is available at this website.

Stunning job beautiful sound quality...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, I - Grave, Tutorial, Part 1

This video deals with the Grave, BWV 1002, mostly from a structural perspective. Jaap Schroder called the opening movements to the first two sonatas the “Castor an...

Articulation in Early Music (Part 4): J.S. Bach, Grave in A Minor, a Performer's Perspective

This video could be called Articulation in Early Music Part-Four, as it delves into that inexhaustible topic, building on parts one, two, and three. This time though...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 1)

This is the first part of a three-part tutorial dealing with Bach’s Fuga, BWV 1003, in A Minor.

As we progress through the pieces in the Sonatas and Part...

Duration: 12.30

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial (Part 2)

A must-see for anyone playing this fugue, on any instrument!

Part one shows how the violin imitates, alternatively, the role of an orchestra, a soloist...

Duration: 12:23

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, II - Fuga, Tutorial, (Part 3)

A must-see for anyone playing this fugue, on any instrument!

The present video discusses the structure of the Fuga, BWV 1003, starting with the end...

Duration: 18:35

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, II - Grave and Fuga | Heather DeRome Guitar

PERFORMANCE VIDEO. Heather DeRome, guitar, Arranged by Koonce/DeRome, mastered by John Taylor

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, II - Fuga | Heather DeRome, Guitar

A beautiful performance with stunning quality of tone across the full range of the strings bravo

Arranger's Corner, Gnarly Question

Everyone loves a good mystery...

Forkel, Bach’s first biographer, states that, according to Bach himself, arranging Vivaldi’s concertos had “taught him h...

Duration: 10:19

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, III-IV, Andante and Allegro

Sawsaw
I don't know why this was recommended to me but I am so glad it was. Absolutely Beautiful!! I could watch you play all day long.

Phil I M
A bea...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, III, Andante, Tutorial

How can something so seemingly simple have so much to offer in learning opportunities? This video for Bach enthusiasts, who love the Sonatas and Partitas is guarante...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A minor, III, Andante, Tutorial 3

This video deals with the challenge of playing slow movements in a way that allows for different weights or “layers of importance” in notes that c...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A Minor, IV - Allegro PERFORMANCE VIDEO

Howard Maynard
Unbelievably amazing...Thank you...So much...

James Fisher
Superb. So beautiful

Guitar Serenade
Excellent playing and most ...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1003, Sonata 2 in A minor, IV - Allegro, Tutorial

This will interest anyone playing Bach, and will especially be of interest to those who have our edition, as there are discussions of the fingerings: why they were c...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1004, Partita No 2 in D Minor, I - Allemanda

PERFORMANCE VIDEO

Phil UK: Stunning pacing and rubato. A beautiful performance

Erkan Demirelli: in a word it is amazing. it grips my imagination. Tha...

J.S. Bach, BWV 1004, Partita No 2 in D minor, II - Corrente, with score

JT
Fine playing!

J.S. Bach, BWV 1004, Sonata 2 in D Minor, III - Sarabande

PERFORMANCE VIDEO
Heather DeRome, Guitar
Arranged by Koonce DeRome. Scores available at www.SonatasAndPartias.com

Arranger's Corner: BWV 1003, Choosing your Bass notes--Thinking in 16th Century Terms

In the critical notes of our arrangements of the Sonatas and Partitas, Frank Koonce and I had a short discussion about the Schemata and Rule of the Octave, which wer...

Arranger's Corner: Adding to what Bach wrote, Part One

Here is the first video in a new series exploring the difficult questions that arise when arrangers must decide whether or not to make a change to Bach’s origin...