Johann Ernst Prinz Sachsen Weimar: Zwei Violinkonzerte
aus der Musikaliensammlung der Universitätsbibliothek Rostock
Johann Ernst Prince of Saxe-Weimar (1696–1715) was a respectable violinist. In the course of his short life (he died at age 19) the prince composed 19 instrumental pieces including at least 8 violin concerti. In 1718, six of them were edited by G. Ph. Telemann. (published by edition offenburg 2013, JE 5136-1 and -2) In addition to these, merely two further violin concertos have come down to us in manuscript form. They are the subject of the present edition. Eleven additional works have to be considered lost.
Our edition is based on the manuscripts which are preserved in the University Library Rostock.
During Johann Ernst’s lifetime, Johann Sebastian Bach was active as court chapel-master in Weimar (1708–17), so that direct contact between the prince and J. S. Bach can be assumed. The first concerto of the present edition was arranged by Bach for Organ or harpsichord (BWV 592/592a).
The concertos are in the Italian style, and Vivaldi’s influence is noticeable. The solo violin part seldom goes higher than first position, but is nevertheless technically demanding. The second violin also repeatedly has solo passages. First printing
Edited by Hélène Hérengt und Mihoko Kimura, Piano reduction by Gottfried Bach
Concerto G major [Nr. 1]a 8 : violino I principale, vln I obligato, vln I ripieno, vln II obl., vln II rip., viola, violoncello, cembaloAllegro assai - Adagio - Presto e staccato Concerto G major [Nr. 2] a 6 : violino concerto, vln I, vln II, viola, basso, basso continuoAdagio - Allegro - Adagio - Allegro
CD recordings:
Anne Schumann, Sebastian Knebel, Ensemble Fürsten-Musik, CPO, DDD, 2014
Thüringer Bach Collegium, Audite, DDD, 2018
