Bach, or Busoni? How insightful fingering options may enlighten the original spirit of the Chaconne in D minor

Abstract

The Chaconne, the last movement of the partita in D minor for violin solo by Johann Sebastian Bach, has been, to this day, a reference work for violinists; however, over the years, it has also been a subject of interest by numerous leading personalities within the musical sphere, who made several versions for their own instruments. Among the many transcriptions those made for piano stand out, in particular that of Ferruccio Busoni, probably the most universally disseminated. However, this version is often criticized, among other reasons, for allegedly disrespecting the Bachian musical spirit. This article intends to analyze some technical and interpretative solutions (notably through the use of insightful fingering options) that, respecting the magnitude of Busoni 's text, can duly emphasize the original spirit of Bach' s work.