Unaccompanied Violin Music Pre-J.S. Bach

[bviolon8897]

There are many examples of unaccompanied violin music that predate Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin [Sei Solo a Violino senza Basso accompagnato] BWV 1001-1006. During Bach's lifetime, manuscript copies of these works circulated among interested violinists. The designation of the collection as 'Libro Primo' or 'Pars 1' and the solos for unaccompanied 'cello as 'Pars 2' suggest that Bach meant them as a 'school' of unaccompanied string playing. Not unlike the two- and three-part Inventions for keyboard, the six solos in the style of the day served a didactic purpose. However, as consummate examples of Baroque art, they must have served other functions--they must have done.

The questions I pose are: a) can we confirm that there existed a 'tradition' of unaccompanied string playing at the courts of Europe in the late 17th and early 18th centuries? b) If so, can we find accounts that show which prelates enjoyed this form of diversion or where this trend first developed? c) Did this 'tradition' include improvised solos, some of which got written down? d) Did the 'tradition' die off with the shift from court-sponsored art to public supported art? e) Is there perhaps more of this repertoire out there still to be discovered?

Perhaps a good first step is to collectively name all the composers whose works for unaccompanied violin predate, say, 1720. I'll begin: Heinrich von Biber, Johann Joseph Vilsmayr, Johann Jakob Walther, Johann Paul Westhoff, Johann Georg Pisendel, Nicola Matteis, Thomas Balthazar, Davis (David) Mell,.....???? Can anyone add to this list?

[periodinstrumentfan]

1. There's a short excerpt of Nicolini Cosma (fl ca 1708) and

2. Carlo Ambrogio Lonati (ca 1645 - ca 1712) on the Metropolitan Museum of Arts website ... i am not sure though if those were originally for solo unaccompanied violin.

3. There's also Nicolini Cosimi (fl. 1690-1705), [Prelude in A major from Select Preludes and Voluntaries for the Violin ... by all the Greatest Masters in Europe for that Instrument (London: J. Walsh and J. Hare, 1705), played by Christopher Field.] >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guT8h1BcWgE

4. Tartini has some nice pieces too but i cannot tell if it was written before 1720... the manuscript version is available on IMSLP >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqtwB6V3B4g

[periodinstrumentfan]

I've read somewhere that Rachel Barton Pine was bequeathed with an immense collection of solo violin music from a generous collector from Europe.

I wish she play them and post them on her youtube channel

Talking outside of "Art Music" and music of the courts, how about the street fiddlers ? I'm sure they too predate Bach's solo violin music ?

[periodinstrumentfan]

Found this just now, posted by Australian Brandenburg Orchestra >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZHpb...ayer_embedded#!

[Philidor]

I've a soft spot for Telemann's 12 Fantasias for Violin without Bass, TWV 40:14-25. Are they pre-Bach?

[Sonatina]

Originally Posted by Philidor

I've a soft spot for Telemann's 12 Fantasias for Violin without Bass, TWV 40:14-25. Are they pre-Bach?

Thank you for posting this , I love this sound, because of its playful quality and its dynamic range and coulour, quite amazing for a solo instrument. .

[bviolon8897]

Originally Posted by Philidor

I've a soft spot for Telemann's 12 Fantasias for Violin without Bass, TWV 40:14-25. Are they pre-Bach?

So do I! The Twelve Fantasias appear in 1735, continuing the tradition. Dr.Hunter Hausswald believes that Telemann intended these for the amateur. I'm not so convinced; chordal playing and double stopping would have belonged primarily to the advanced player. Telemann expands/explores the expressive potential in mixing the Italian sonata, the French suite, and concerto (concertante) part-writing traditions freely (this is his fantasy).

[bviolon8897]

Originally Posted by periodinstrumentfan

1. There's a short excerpt of Nicolini Cosma (fl ca 1708) and

2. Carlo Ambrogio Lonati (ca 1645 - ca 1712) on the Metropolitan Museum of Arts website ... i am not sure though if those were originally for solo unaccompanied violin.

3. There's also Nicolini Cosimi (fl. 1690-1705), [Prelude in A major from Select Preludes and Voluntaries for the Violin ... by all the Greatest Masters in Europe for that Instrument (London: J. Walsh and J. Hare, 1705), played by Christopher Field.] >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guT8h1BcWgE

4. Tartini has some nice pieces too but i cannot tell if it was written before 1720... the manuscript version is available on IMSLP >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqtwB6V3B4g

Thanks, periodinstrumentfan! You had some great ideas. I think the Cosimi would qualify. I haven't tracked down the Cosma or the Lonati, yet. The Montanari is interesting and is certainly an early example, but whether it predates Bach is the question. It feels later to me, stylistically. I didn't find anything on the MMA sight, but I may not have looked in the right place---any suggestions? You are right about the street fiddlers; I bet dancing & music masters would round up business on the street by playing tunes.

[periodinstrumentfan]

Here's the Lonati piece >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3bLb8qWZoY

and the Cosma prelude >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhblMs_kXQ

[bviolon8897]

Originally Posted by periodinstrumentfan

Here's the Lonati piece >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3bLb8qWZoY

and the Cosma prelude >>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhblMs_kXQ

Thanks, p.i.fan-I did find these online, both the Metropolitan Museum of Art demonstration YouTube entries and the music itself posted by the National Library of Scotland (IMLSP 'Select Preludes or Volentarys for ye Violin...[1705] J. Walsh & I Hare). After looking at the list of composers, it seems clear that Walsh & Hare were gathering together a pan-European 'who's who' of violinists/composers made up of transplanted Italians, famous names from Italy, Austria, Germany, and a few native players, too. Clearly, this collection was targeted to the range of amateur players looking for materials to advance their playing.