Bach Triple Concerto for flute, violin and harpsichord

"Triple" concerto for flute, violin, harpsichord, strings and basso continuo in A minor BWV1044

1. Allegro

*Though this a concerto for three instruments (hence it is occasionally called Bach's triple concerto), the harpsichord has the most prominent role and greatest quantity of material; there are several cadenzas and virtuosic passages for the instrument; the scoring is identical to that of Brandenburg concerto no.5, BWV 1050, though the character is quite different. The first and third movements are adapted from the prelude and fugue in A minor for solo harpsichord, BWV 894, which have been developed with added tutti sections. The middle movement is from the trio sonata for organ in D minor, BWV 527, which has been expanded to four voices; only the solo instruments play, and the flute and violin share the melody and accompaniment, switching roles on the repeat of each half. There is some question of whether or not Bach wrote the transcription of this concerto, though the majesty of conception and arrangement certainly speaks for it.

Performed by Concerto Italiano
Featuring Rinaldo Alessandrini, harpsichord
Claudio Rufa, flute
Francesca Vicari, violin
Conducted by Rinaldo Alessandrini