The Music Plays On — Bach Sonatas and Partitas

Johann Sebastian Bach completed his Sei Solo a Violino senza Basso accompagnato (Six Solos for Violin Without Bass Accompaniment) when he was kapellmeister in Köthen in 1720. The title Sonatas and Partitas (Partias) refers to the titles of the six individual pieces that make up this set.

The concept of writing polyphonic — many voiced — music for a solo instrument wasn’t new and, in…