Bach: Violin Sonata No.5 in F minor, BWV 1018

Bach's set of six sonatas for violin and obbligato harpsichord were written in Kothen between 1720 and 1723. Unlike most baroque sonatas, the keyboard parts to these sonatas were written out by Bach himself, not just left as figured bass. The first movement of this fifth sonata is a Largo which lasts nearly 8 minutes in length, in which Bach explores the contrapuntal possibilities of the melody. The second movement is fugal and the third movement requires double stopping on the violin, while the fourth movement is a lively dance. Here you can purchase and download the piano (keyboard) parts to play along to, recorded by a professional accompanist.