Motivic Continuity in the Instrumental Suites, Sonatas, and Partitas of J. S. Bach

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.18177/sym.2020.60.sr.11479
  • PDF: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26919804

Abstract

This article explores J. S. Bach’s use of motives as a means to create unity in his large-scale instrumental works. Using the G-Major Suite for Cello, BWV 1007, as a case study, it traces how Bach takes simple elements and expands them to create a multimovement dance suite. To support its arguments, the article considers other solo instrumental compositions by Bach for keyboard and violin. By looking at motive as a way to unify multiple movements, performers of Bach’s music can modify their interpretations in order to illuminate motivic connections.

Vincent Benitez

Expand article
Read 2147 times

Last modified on Tuesday, 09/03/2021

Josquin Larsen

Josquin Larsen, violist, is active as a soloist, and chamber and orchestral musician throughout the United States and abroad. He is on the music faculty at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Go to top