Sonata in C major BWV 1033

About this work

Sonata BWV 1033 is written for flute and basso continuo, despite having once been classified among the piano works. It links four short movements: a free Andante, a more contrapuntal Allegro, an Adagio in the minor and two minuets. The attribution to Johann Sebastian Bach remains disputed; the surviving copy is notably connected with Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

The first movement calls for a supple line above chords that punctuate the argument. In the Allegro, flute and bass answer each other more equally. The Adagio concentrates its expression in appoggiaturas before the minuets restore a dancing frame. Do not smooth away these changes of character: four short movements should not become one six-minute mood.

For the flute, plan breaths from the harmony rather than the length of the bars alone. Harpsichord or piano should support without covering, keeping the bass clearly articulated. With a cello, coordinate phrase endings and the rhythmic consonants of the continuo. Agree on the ornaments before the final rehearsal.


What the document contains

a 6-page full score;
3-leaf flute and cello parts, plus a 2-leaf keyboard part;
four PDF documents together, with a separate MIDI file.

The scoring has been corrected to flute and basso continuo so that it matches the material actually provided.