Composed somewhere between 1717 and 1720 this Partita (a selection of dance movements in a suite) is for solo violin as part of the collection of six sonatas and partitas for solo violin.
The first movements are Allemanda, Corrente, Sarabanda, and Giga, as usual.
However, Bach adds a monumental fifth movement in the form of a Ciaccona (Chaconne). Some theorists believe that as the piece was completed around the time of the death of Bach’s first wife (Maria Barbara) that there are specific references and influences to chorales around the themes of death, and some performances interweave movements and sections of the Partita with the singing of chorales.
Today’s performance is a live performance from Wigmore Hall by the superb Baroque violinist Rachel Podger:
Listening Project 