Uploaded April 2012 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Concerto in C major, BWV 1061
Allegro
Adagio ovvero Largo
Fuga
Scoring: harpsichord I/II solo, violin I/II, viola, continuo (cello, violone)
Length: c. 19 minutes
Of all Bach's harpsichord concertos, this is probably the only one that originated as a harpsichord work, though not in an orchestral guise. The work originated as a concerto for two harpsichords unaccompanied (in the manner of the Italian Concerto, BWV 971), and the addition of the orchestral parts may not have been by Bach himself. The string orchestra does not fulfil an independent role, and only appears to augment cadences; it is silent in the middle movement. The harpsichords have much dialogue between themselves and play in an antiphonal manner throughout.
Concerto in C major, BWV 1061
Allegro
Adagio ovvero Largo
Fuga
Scoring: harpsichord I/II solo, violin I/II, viola, continuo (cello, violone)
Length: c. 19 minutes
Of all Bach's harpsichord concertos, this is probably the only one that originated as a harpsichord work, though not in an orchestral guise. The work originated as a concerto for two harpsichords unaccompanied (in the manner of the Italian Concerto, BWV 971), and the addition of the orchestral parts may not have been by Bach himself. The string orchestra does not fulfil an independent role, and only appears to augment cadences; it is silent in the middle movement. The harpsichords have much dialogue between themselves and play in an antiphonal manner throughout.
