Johann Sebastian Bach’s cycle of Three Sonatas and Partitas BWV 1001–1006 for solo violin is one of the most famous string compositions of the 18th century and of the violin repertoire as a whole. With the limited resources of a single melody instrument, the composer masterfully presents the entire harmonic and polyphonic musical universe of his time.

These works have also been played on the viola for centuries. In his version for solo viola, Chung Park draws on a careful study of the revised Urtext edition of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas published by Bärenreiter and edited by Peter Wollny (BA05256). Park’s edition offers elegant and idiomatic solutions to the technical challenges that arise when playing these violin works on the viola.

About the arranger:

Chung Park is a conductor, violist, and educator who received his professional training at the Peabody Conservatory as well as the University of Miami. He studied viola in Hannover, Germany, with Hatto Beyerle of the Alban Berg Quartet. An experienced performer and educator, Chung Park has taught at several universities, including the University of Central Florida, Appalachian State University and the University of Chicago, and has delivered masterclasses across the United States. In 2022 he was appointed conductor of St. Olaf Orchestra, St. Olaf College, Minnesota.