Composed between 1708 and 1721 at Köthen, Bach’s ‘Six Concertos for Several Instruments’ where written as a job application to work for Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg.
They demonstrate handling of instruments, of styles, fugal form, whilst being based on the popular Italian concerto grosso style.
The third concerto has three each of violin, viola, and ‘cello, plus a continuo section. Bach has the three groups in unison, in dialogue with each other, and in dialogue within each group, affording him a huge variety of textures to play with.
Here the concerto is performed by the brilliant Voices of Music:
The Listening Project Blog 