Partita for Solo Violin No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1004

The Partita for solo violin No. 2 is part of a cycle of six pieces composed by Bach, so notoriously difficult that it has earned the nickname: the “Everest of violin works!” You might not think so, but this mighty performance endeavor is actually composed of five lively dances. There’s the Sarabande, the Gigue but the most popular is the Chaconne—which is almost a stand-alone work with a duration of fifteen minutes. However, its popularity is not simply owed to flashy virtuosity; it’s a respectable composition equally loved for its refined musicality. Its long polyphonic passages exploit the full breadth of the violin’s capabilities, affording the soloist every possibility to shock the audience with rich and sublime music, though not without some struggle for the musician! Many acclaimed artists have put their musical craft to the test with Bach’s work. Some of the best violinists in the world have strutted their stuff, of course, but even pianists, organists and many other instrumentalists couldn’t resist the violin’s “Everest” resulting in a hefty number of transcriptions!