Ferruccio Busoni
Bach: Chaconne for Violin - BWV 1004
in D Minor
One of Bach’s most famous compositions for the violin appears here in a passionately romantic piano transcription.
Year: 1897
Period: Baroque
Piano score: Breitkopf & Hartel edition 
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Romantic Bach
The Chaconne in d minor BWV 1004, originally written for violin and appearing here in a passionately romantic piano transcription, is without a doubt one of Bach’s most famous compositions. Using a simple opening theme and repeating harmonic progression as a basis, the listener is invited into a sprawling set of variations resembling more a baring of the soul than the dance form the Chaconne originated from. Creating a whole world of deep thought and powerful emotion, Bach’s richness of invention and command over structure is on display in full force throughout the piece.
Busoni’s transcription is mostly faithful to the original violin part, adding color through octave doublings, transposition, and occasional countermelodies, reflecting his thought that “Bach goes far beyond the boundaries and means of the violin in his conception of the work, so that the instrument he has intended for use in performance does not suffice”. Being an outstanding pianist himself, Busoni’s transcription reflects a thorough knowledge of the technical capabilities of the piano, and while difficult, the arrangements remain highly pianistic throughout.
Background
Busoni admired Bach from a young age and created piano transcriptions of several of Bach’s works. The original Chaconne in d minor BWV 1004 is the final movement of Bach’s Second Partita for solo violin. Busoni’s transcription of the Chaconne was first published in 1892; he subsequently revised the work multiple times until the version known today was published in 1916, in Volume 3 of the “Bach-Busoni Complete Edition”, where several other transcriptions also featured.Forum posts about this piece:
Recital Program by t1pv__
Planning a 1-1.5 hour recital (closer to 1). Pieces to choose from are Beethoven Sonata No. 4, Bach-Busoni Chaccone, Liszt Reminiscences de Norma, Schumann Fantasy, Rachmaninoff Moment Musicals 1-6, Prokofiev...
Music Notation Question in Bach-Busoni Chaconne by swilliams002
What does "fest." mean in piano music? I've encountered it in (I think) two places in the Bach-Busoni Chaconne, but I can't seem to find the Italian word it's an abbreviation of, or what...
Bach/Liszt and Other Bach Transcriptions by kc_gracie
Hello everyone, So, I feel like this is yet another post for me asking what people enjoy and suggest. For a bit of context, I have been practicing a lot of Bach and Liszt pieces over the past year...
HELP ! Jury Recital Program by sammmue
I am playing with idea of a thematic program of 30 mns of playing time I would need lots of help in filling any piano repertoire that can draw parallels with these. Currently, I am going for...
A Successful College Audition by vertigoone
Hello, fellow pianists and music lovers! I'm planning to apply to a few colleges/conservatories for the 2018/19 school year. I am seeking a master's degree in piano performance.
How to pronouce the name of this composer in German? by symphonicdance
Eugen d'Albert Shall I pronounce as U-Gene D-Albert as in English? Or Oil-Gun Del-Bert? BTW, who is he? d'Albert was a student of Liszt. The personal life side...
Request for suggestions on reference material on J.S. Bach by symphonicdance
I am self-learning and preparing for a fellowship exam (of which the syllabus suggests a candidate to go for specialisation). I am likely go for a Bach programme: Bach : Partita No 6 in E minor,...
Request for suggestions on reference material on J.S. Bach by symphonicdance
I am self-learning and preparing for a fellowship exam (of which the syllabus suggests a candidate to go for specialisation). I am likely go for a Bach programme: Bach : Partita No 6 in E minor,...
Request for recommendations in FRSM exam (UK) by symphonicdance
I am planning to take the Fellowship of Royal School of Music (FRSM) diploma exam (UK) in 2017. Previously I passed the Fellowship of Trinity College London (FTCL) diploma exam (UK) by self-learning...
Bach Busoni Chaconne in d minor by kclee6337
I just started learning this piece and I'm thinking this would be a good piece for a masters audition. Two questions.... is this a good piece for an audition? how would it be classified. would it be...
Bach Chaconne (Busoni) analysis by lohshuhan
i was wondering if anyone knew where i could get hold of a complete analysis of the Chaconne from JS Bach's Partita Number 2 in D Minor for Solo Violin, which lists out bar numbers of all the respective...
Which to choose? by jy_
I auditioned for both the birmingham conservatory and the Royal Northern College of Music and have been offered places for both schools... (Guaranteed conditional for RNCM because i sent a recording)
Should I learn Brahms' or Busoni's transcription of the d minor chaconne? by thalberg
I love Bach's d minor chaconne, and I want to learn a piano version of it. I'm trying to decide between Brahms or Busoni. Brahms is for only the left hand and it sounds really close to the...
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Bach: Chaconne for Violin (BWV 1004) in D Minor, by the baroque composer Ferruccio Busoni. This piano piece was published in 1897 and is included in Transcriptions by Busoni.