Johann Sebastian Bach: Sonate I, II, III & Concerto
There are no certainties concerning the date of composition of the three sonatas for viola da gamba and harpsichord by Bach. However, they present very distinct characteristics of style and writing, the first two adopting the scheme of Church Sonata in the Corellian type, in four movements, and the third evoking the frame of the Italianate concerto. The harpsichord is completely emancipated, never relegated to the role of simple accompanist, the right hand of the harpsichordist being employed as a second instrumental part next to the viola da gamba, and playing an eminently concertante part.
