The best of Bach's solo violin works

August 23, 2007 at 08:30 PM · Chaconne, C major Fugue, G minor Fugue, E major Prelude, that one Gavotte.

August 23, 2007 at 08:17 PM · Sonata No.1 in G minor Fuga

Sonata No. 2 in A minor Andante

Partita No.2 in D minor Gigue

Partita No.2 in D minor Chaconne

Partita No.3 in E major Preludio

Partita No.3 in E major Gavotte

Sorry, I think that is one more than allowed. I am not terribly familiar with solo violin works, but I am fond of a few of Paganini's Caprices, although I do not consider them to be of the same caliber as Bach's works.

August 23, 2007 at 08:31 PM · Partita in D Minor. That'll do nicely! Awesome.

August 23, 2007 at 08:35 PM · I am sorry, but I have to add one more (the list should have allowed seven!)

Sonata No. 3 in C major, Adagio

I'll stop now.

August 23, 2007 at 10:59 PM · The six sonatas and partitas.... ;)

August 23, 2007 at 11:22 PM · There isn't really all that much else that ranks when talking about solo violin.

Am I right in thinking there's a Passacaglia by Biber?

Other Solo works (not necessarily as good, and definately not from the same period):

Hindemith, Op. 31

Prokofiev, Op. 115

Bartok Sonata for Solo Violin

Ysayë - Six Sonatas Op. 27

Ernst - The Last Rose of Summer

Paganini - Nel Cor Piu Non Mi Sento

Paganini - God Save the King

Wieniawski - Variations on God Save the Queen

Kreisler - Recitativo and Scherzo Caprice

Reger - Präudien und Fugen for Solo Violin, Op. 117

Bloch - Suite No. 1 for Violin Solo

For me, out of the S&P - I rank them as follows:

E Major (Fav movement: Prelude)

D Minor (Fav Movement: Chaconne)

C Major (Fav Movement: Fugue)

G Minor (Fav Movement: Fugue)

A Minor (Never really got into it)

B Minor (Never really got into it)

August 23, 2007 at 11:41 PM · I'll echo Laurie. :)

Of the S&Ps though, the D minor is my favorite currently (figures hugely into a story I'm writing) and within that, I actually love the Sarabande the best, followed closely by the Chaconne. :)

I also love Bartok's solo sonata.

I'll admit I haven't heard much other than those. ;)

August 23, 2007 at 11:51 PM · Does anybody here know the recently discovered 4th partitia?

August 24, 2007 at 03:19 AM · Laurie, could you follow the rules and limit it to 5 pieces! The S&P have many movements! I really want your input; so pick the top 5, not 24! LOL

Everyone else thanks! And give me your favorite non-Bach stuff!

BTW, which is the solo violin bach piece that I always here played on so many different media things (venegerov played it at the end of a movie, and I think it was on the UTUBE Strad documentary, as well.)

August 24, 2007 at 02:48 AM · Maybe for real.

August 24, 2007 at 05:15 AM · Oh okay!

D m Chacconne

Sonata No. 3 Largo

Sonata No. 1 Presto

Sonata No. 3 Fuga

Partita No. 3 Preludio -- you just have to, at some point in your violin life, get this barriolage completely down; learn the motion, and then it's just a blast.

August 24, 2007 at 05:36 AM · Sonata No. 2 Andante

Partita No. 4 Watusi

August 24, 2007 at 07:58 AM · Non-Bach would have to include some Ysaye, probably 1st and 2nd Sonatas, though it's a close call!