Bach for Unaccompanied Flute

From the Publisher

These arrangements of movements from the sonatas and partitas and suites of J. S. Bach are intended for private study rather than for public performance. Although the were not originally written as flute music it should be remembered that Bach's instrumental writing was of a universal nature: he himself considered his music transferable to any instrument, wind, string or keyboard, whose compass it happened to fit. When it did not fit he never hesitated to transpose or rearrange.

Flautists, however advanced, will find the pieces bristling with problems of phrasing, articulation and breath control and, it need hardly be said, musically more rewarding than the studies specially composed by the flute virtuoso of the past. they may also be found useful as studies of endurance in preparation for the composer's flute sonatas - possibly the most exhausting works in the flautist's repertoire. Care should be taken, however, to avoid tiring the embouchure: it is better to stop at a double bar or any convenient full close than to risk possible harm to the tone production or intonation by persevering with a tired lip.

The phrasing and dynamic marks are only suggestions and no attempt has been made to indicate where breath should be taken. These problems, as well as the very wide choice of tempi, are interdependent and their many possible solutions should be considered part of the player's study. Tempo indications in brackets are editorial.

No. 2 is from Sonata No. 1 (violin); Nos. 5, 7, and 9 from Suite No. 1 (cello); Nos. 3, 10, and 15 from Suite No. 2 (cello); Nos. 8 and 14 from Suite No. 3 (cello); No. 11 and 17 from Suite No. 4 (cello); No. 6 from Suite No. 5 (cello); Nos. 13 and 16 from Partita No. 1 (violin); No. 12 from Partita No. 2 (violin); Nos. 1 and 4 from Partita No. 3 (violin).

Approved Exam Music

Recommended for the following exam grade(s):

Trinity College London Flute (from 2023)
Grades: 7

Contents

1. Gigue
2. Prelude
3. Sarabande
4. Bourée
5. Allemande
6. Sarabande
7. Courante
8. Two Bourées
9. Gigue
10. Minuet
11. Bourée
12. Allemande
13. Double
14. Gigue
15. Courante
16. Double
17. Gigue

Item Details

Instrumentation

• Part 1: Flute