Speaking Bach

The Language of the Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin

By: Stanley Ritchie

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Paperback | 30 June 2026

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Paperback
240 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
27.9 x 21.6 x 1.1

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Known around the world as a skilled violinist, teacher, and advocate for historically informed performance of early music, Stanley Ritchie has developed a definitive performer's guide to comprehending and performing J. S. Bach's musical language. In Speaking Bach, Ritchie widens the focus of his study of Bach's six solo sonatas and partitas to incorporate questions about how technical approaches to performing these pieces are affected by considerations of rhetoric, harmonic structure, and subtleties of expression. In doing so, Ritchie helps violinists form a deeper understanding of this essential repertoire, even as they work to perfect their skills and interpretations. Speaking Bach includes sections on technique, harmonic and melodic structure, expression and ornamentation, and analytical exercises, all using passages from the solo sonatas and partitas to address the specific challenges posed by playing Bach. An important addition to any violinist's collection, Speaking Bach shows us how J. S. Bach thought about his own music and illuminates what is both technically and musically appropriate for this essential repertoire.

Industry Reviews

"Bach's sonatas and partitas are like the plays of Shakespeare in the world of dramatic literature, or the Bible in the realm of religion. They are absolutely central to the repertoire of the violin, and much like Shakespeare and the Bible, they have spawned much worthy commentary. Stanley's contribution is certain to be an important supplement."-Daniel Stepner, Professor Emeritus, Brandeis University

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