In Bach's time, sheet music was often transcribed by hand. After all, bringing music into print was a costly business, both for the composer and the buyer. That is why Bach did not publish something in print for the first time until 1726 (four years after his arrival in Leipzig), the Partita No. 1 for harpsichord. Several more such partitas followed in subsequent years. In 1731, six Partitas were
… compiled as Clavier-Übung 1. For the average amateur of the time, these pieces must have been quite intimidating. Even today, the groundbreaking nature of this music is striking. Take just the Gigue of the last Partita, which is not inferior in power to a thoroughly crafted organ fugue. Or the witty Capriccio of the Second Partita, with its awkward large leaps. Some slow movements, too, are unforgettable for their endlessly drawn-out melodies. Like the Allemande of the Partita No. 4 in D. Or the Sarabande of the Partita No. 6 in e minor. (HJ)more
