Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B flat BWV 1051 (Arranged for 2 Violas and Piano): Book, Strings

This arrangement opens Bach's most intricate and rewarding chamber work to violists who might otherwise never play it. Watson Forbes captures the brilliance of the original six-part texture while honoring the viola's expressive range, making an otherwise inaccessible masterpiece genuinely playable for intermediate to advanced students.

The opening movement radiates warmth and intimate chamber conversation, with the two violas weaving through each other like old friends in dialogue. Across its three movements, the work shifts from lyrical elegance to driving energy, with moments of crystalline brightness that showcase both the viola's singing voice and its rhythmic agility.

Advanced high school violists and college music majors ready to tackle authentic Baroque counterpoint. Duet partners will deepen their understanding of ensemble balance and inner-part writing through one of the greatest chamber works ever composed.

• Balance the two viola lines carefully in the contrapuntal passages; neither should dominate, but both must sing clearly through the piano texture.
• Shape each phrase according to harmonic rhythm rather than measure lines, allowing the Baroque phrasing to breathe naturally.
• Listen closely to the piano part to understand the harmonic foundation; this helps both violists lock into the counterpoint together.

Feature this as a standalone chamber recital piece or pair it with other Baroque viola transcriptions for a themed concert. It also serves as a capstone project for advanced viola students studying counterpoint and ensemble musicianship.

• Reading and executing Baroque counterpoint with two independent lines
• Balancing inner voices while maintaining forward harmonic motion
• Ensemble intonation and rhythmic cohesion in faster contrapuntal passages
• Phrasing and articulation choices in eighteenth-century style