Famous works · Baroque
Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043
Composed c. 1730–1731, Leipzig
Two solo violins in close conversation — one of Bach's most beloved concertos.
The story behind it
Bach likely wrote it for the Collegium Musicum, a student and amateur ensemble that gave weekly concerts at Zimmermann's coffee house in Leipzig.
He later arranged it as a concerto for two harpsichords (BWV 1062).
What to listen for
- The two violins imitating each other in a canon-like dance.
- The long, intertwined singing lines of the Largo.