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 moment in this Sarabande and at some of the things that are underneath its apparent simplicity—things that we may take for granted, and that musicians of all levels can learn from.

There is also a discussion about how Bach uses harmonies that we sometimes mistakenly identify as major-7th chords. These chords are actually minor—not major—and contain an appoggiatura, so they fool our ear. There is one such chord in this Sarabande and the video explains how it works.

While on the topic of chords, it is also fascinating to see how Bach solves problems that arise from writing melody and accompaniment on an instrument essentially designed as purely melodic. The ending of the Sarabande has a great example of this, in which he uses a sequence of parallel second-inversion chords where he would typically use first-inversion. Our ear knows this standardized formula, and Bach understands when he can deviate from it—not only to get himself out of a tough spot, but also in a way that makes the piece even more compelling.

See Part one
See Part two