In this lesson, Miriam Fried examines the three monumental fugues from Bach’s Sonatas for Solo Violin, placing them within the broader context of Baroque violin playing and compositional practice. Beginning with the influence of composers such as Arcangelo Corelli, Johann Jakob Walther, Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, and Johann Paul von Westhoff, she explores how Bach inherited and expanded techniques such as bariolage, ondéggiando, and polyphonic violin writing.

The lesson then delves into the unique character of each fugue. You will discover how the G minor Fugue develops through traditional fugal procedures, how the A minor Fugue continuously transforms and inverts its thematic material, and how the monumental C major Fugue employs chorale-inspired writing, mirror structures, and large-scale architectural planning. Special attention is given to Bach’s harmonic language, thematic development, and the ingenious ways he creates unity across these vast movements.

Beyond analysis, Miriam offers valuable performance insights. She discusses how to balance the vertical and horizontal dimensions of polyphonic writing, shape thematic entrances, use string colors to clarify voices, and approach the many technical and musical challenges posed by these works. The lesson demonstrates how understanding the character of a fugue’s theme, episodes, and harmonic structure can transform both interpretation and performance.

Ideal for advanced violinists, teachers, and Bach enthusiasts, this lesson reveals why these fugues remain among the greatest achievements in violin literature and offers practical tools for bringing their complexity and imagination to life.