For the editor of an Urtext edition, Bach’s A minor violin concerto BWV 1041 presents few problems; cleanly-written original parts exist from Bach’s Köthen (or early Leipzig) period. But beyond the guarantee of a reliable musical text, the Henle edition scores points in terms of text layout; thanks to a foldout solo part, turning pages is made comfortable, something that was previously a challenge because of the literally non-stop, continuous sixteenth notes in the opening movement. Other publishers have since copied this idea. Only the piano reduction from Henle – in all three of Bach’s violin concertos – can be effortlessly performed off the page, even by the lay musician.
