Bach J.S. | Sinfonia 11 BWV 797 arr. classical guitar trio
Channel: PlentyMusic
Date: 04/01/2023

Bach J.S. Sinfonia 11 BWV 797 arranged for #classicalguitar trio. The #Sinfonia arrangements from PlentyMusic are excellent movements to improve #musicpractice routines. #sheetmusic & accompaniments link: https://plentymusic.uk/short/?c=GJHtkY3 

The Sinfonia 11 transcribed from the key of Gm to Dm is a melancholy and appealing movement with some attractive rhythmic and melodic figuration. Individual instrument parts are appended to the full music score which is available as a download from the PlentyMusic website. 

In this arrangement each guitar plays one of the voices or parts in the three part Sinfonia   The classical guitar trio realisation plays back at 30 dotted quarter note beats or crotchet beats to the minute. The guitar is an instrument where the same note can be played on different strings in different places on the fretboard.The music editor will endeavour to upload a TAB version to assist players.

Guitar accompaniments playing at 30, 32, 34 and 36 dotted quarter note or crotchet beats to the minute are available as mp3 downloads from PlentyMusic.  

The sinfonias are excellent movements to develop and improve ensemble playing. There is a considerable melodic range in the three voices with each having a range of close to two octaves. Playing such ranges encourages the development of good intonation (playing in tune) and quality of tone. 

This particular movement is a very good test of ensemble playing particularly because of the tied notes across the bar lines and the imaginative rhythmic and melodic figuration that features in the movement. To fully appreciate the rhythmic fluidity of the movement instrumentalists should experience playing the movement as part of an ensemble. This fluidity in the rhythmic shapes possibly explains or at suggests one of the many reasons why Bach’s music is often adapted and played by jazz musicians 

Rehearsal marks are in place at bars 17, 33, 48 and 65 on the music score although the music editor suggests that in music of this style players will know immediately when they not quite together.

While this music sounds emotional and encourages an emotional response to listeners it needs to be performed quite objectively.

Ornaments have been omitted in the preparing of this music score although those familiar with the performance practice of the baroque may choose to add ornaments particularly at cadences. A guiding principle is that the any ornaments introduced should be imitated in the other voices.

The Sinfonias were originally composed for harpsichord the keyboard instrument of J.S. Bach’s time although they do provide excellent ensemble material for various instrument combinations. This transcription keeps to original voicings and key although pitch levels in baroque times were lower than in contemporary times. 

The Sinfonias would have been mainly played on the keyboard instruments of Bach’s time available in the home which may have included the clavichord and harpsichord.
The organ which is also a keyboard instrument requiring the need for a second person to operate the bellows was essentially a church instrument

The Sinfonias are works conceived for three voices and feature compositional processes associated with contrapuntal writing of the baroque era: repetition, inversion, imitation, and sequence feature strongly in this particular sinfonia.

The 3 part Sinfonias and 2 part Inventions are excellent movement for developing listening skills in ensemble playing. Do make use of these and other resources available on the PlentyMusic website.pdf sheet music scores and mp3 accompaniments can be downloaded from the PlentyMusic website. 

Score detail is usually omitted in music from the baroque era although there is scope to introduce crescendos and diminuendo’s with the rise and falls of the music and rits. and ralls are sometimes appropriate cadences.

Beginner, improver, intermediate and advanced level sheet music scores are available for many different musical instrument combinations. Music scores are written and presented in staff notation.  Free scores are available and many scores have accompaniments. Different performing styles are represented on the PlentyMusic website from early times through to classical and popular.