Passacaille in C minor BWV 582 - Jean-Sébastien Bach

Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750) - Passacaglia in C minor BWV 582

This very famous Passacaglia in C minor for organ is a set of 21 varied statements of the same bass line, divided into seven groups of three statements; each group is said to represent a very precise, and inspiring, liturgical theme: waiting, birth, teaching, passion, death, resurrection and eternal life. This Passacaglia, the first part of a diptych of Passacaglia and fugue, has been transcribed numerous times, for orchestra, piano and of course, for accordion. The Chaconne and Passacaglia are both three-beat dances with an obstinato bass, used to form vast edifices based upon the repetition of the same bass or harmonic structure, presented in an ever-evolving manner. The challenge for the composer is therefore to balance the static nature of the repetition with dynamic variations, notably in their rhythmic style. It would seem that the passages in which the obstinato bass disappears momentarily, find a possible model in some of the variations in Pachelbel's no less famous Chaconne in F minor.

Transcription for accordion : Mélanie Brégant

Duration : 9'