​Johann Sebastian Bach - Gamba Sonata No. 3 (BWV 1029)
for two violas and piano

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) composed three Sonatas for viola da gamba and keyboard (BWV 1027-1029), probably in the 1730s while in Leipzig. As with many such Sonatas, the right hand of the keyboard part is often a solo melodic line, while the left hand plays the bass. This means the music can be easily arranged for another soloist, allowing the keyboard player to play the harmony in continuo style. In this arrangement of the 3rd Gamba Sonata (BWV 1029), the two melodic parts are played by the violas, with the music being transposed into C minor. This brings the texture closer to the 6th Brandenburg Concerto, and indeed the work has been transformed in this fashion by Duncan Druce as the "7th" Brandenburg Concerto.

This arrangement has been recorded by Peter Mallinson, Matthias Wiesner (viola) and Lynn Arnold (piano):

Two Violas: Regeneration (Meridian Records)

Available to purchase from Aria Editions here