Why Are There Only Three Bach Violin Concertos?
The enigmatic question about why Johann Sebastian Bach composed only three violin concertos (BWV 1041, BWV 1042, and BWV 1043) has puzzled musicians and scholars for centuries. This article explores the reasons behind this relatively limited output, as well as the existence of other possible works and the broader context of Bach's musical legacy.
Exploring Other Possible Works
While the most celebrated violin concertos are indeed the three written by Bach, his son, J.S. Bach's son Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, and his earlier sibling J. L. Bach also contributed to the genre. Interestingly, J.L Bach had a primary focus on the violin and his orchestral works, many of which have been lost, possibly included concertos for violin. For example, among the lost works attributed to him is a concerto for two violins and strings.
Similarly, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, born in 1714 and culminating his career in the 1760s, was a prolific composer of sonatas for the violin. One of his works, Violin Sonata in C minor, H 514, Wq 78, exemplifies his skillful composition in a more soloistic context for the instrument, though its status as a concerto is debatable.
The Majestic Repertoire: Beyond Violin Concertos
Bach's vast body of work for the violin includes not only concertos but also unaccompanied Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, which are considered the pinnacle of the genre. In his entire career, Bach produced a substantial and varied repertoire for the violin, including several works that serve as essential pieces in any violinist's arsenal.
Moreover, the violin plays a significant role in Bach's numerous Brandenburg Concertos. Some of these concertos feature soloistic roles for the violin, which might not always be labeled as concertos but are certainly significant in their inclusion of the instrument. For example, the third Brandenburg Concerto (BWV 1048) includes a leading part for the violin, showcasing the instrument's capabilities.
The Context of Bach's Musical Career
The limited number of violin concertos Bach composed can be attributed to several factors, primarily his career focus and the requests from his employers. Bach was a virtuoso keyboardist and composer, with a significant portion of his career dedicated to church music, including masses, passions, and cantatas. His main occupation involved writing and performing keyboard music, a testament to his expertise in this area.
Given Bach's prolific output, it's often overlooked that he composed considerable amounts of music for the violin, often within a concertante style that included a solo violin part. Works such as his Violin and Harpsichord Sonatas (BWV 1014-1016) and Violin Sonata in B minor, BWV 1015 exemplify his skill in blending the violin with other instruments. In this context, the limited number of solo concertos is not unusual, considering his diverse musical catalog.
The Historical Perspective
The answer to why Bach composed fewer violin concertos than other composers such as Shostakovich (14 string quartets) or Tchaikovsky (one violin concerto) lies in the arbitrary nature of historical records and the eventual fate of many compositions. Unfortunately, the best people to answer this question—those who knew Bach—are no longer with us, leaving us to piece together the details from his surviving works and the records available to us.
Ultimately, while the three Bach Violin Concertos are monumental works, an appreciation of his violin output extends to his entire legacy. His contributions to the violin repertoire, even in the form of other concertos and solo sonatas, cement his status as one of the greatest composers in the Western canon.