Violinist finds Bach challenging

The three partitas and three sonatas that J.S. Bach wrote for solo violin have become yardsticks by which violinists measure their artistry. Few, if any, other works have attained this exalted place among musicians.

And within Bach's creative output, these six are among his greatest, exhibiting as they do a near perfect balance of contrapuntal techniques, mastery of form and subtle virtuosity. It's hardly a wonder that violinists consider these their supreme challenge.

Of the six works for solo violin, audiences are probably most familiar with the Partita in D minor, and specifically with its concluding Chaconne. The others are less well known from the concert stage, although technically and musically they are no less magnificent, nor any less demanding.

David Park considers the Sonata No. 3 in C major one of Bach's most taxing works. "It's the ultimate challenge for a violinist," he said. Park, the Utah Symphony's assistant concertmaster, will be playing the C major Sonata next week at his first Salt Lake City recital in several years.

"The Bach is very special music," Park said, "because each movement is different in its own way." The second movement fugue, in particular, fascinates him. "Each of the three sonatas has a fugue, and the fugue in the Third is the longest one and, as far as I know, the longest one Bach wrote."

Park said the sonata has special significance for him. "I learned the C major from scratch. I wasn't influenced by any other violinist, so this is strictly my own interpretation." Park said he always had a profound respect for the C major Sonata, but it wasn't until about a year and a half ago that he decided to learn it. "That was around the time I bought a DVD of Glenn Gould playing the 'Goldberg' Variations. I got very involved with Gould and his interpretation of Bach. Watching him play the Variations inspired me to learn the sonata." Park added that the sonata was a major project for him. "No other piece has taken me so long to memorize and learn."

Preceding the Bach in the first half of the recital will be Mozart's Violin Sonata in E minor, K. 304. "This is the only (violin) sonata in a minor key," Park said. "There is another one that goes between major and minor, but the K. 304 is the only one in minor. And that makes it interesting just for this fact."

Park said that he carefully chooses his programs for his recitals. "I think this is an ideal program, because there is the right mix and balance of different styles. There is good variety — just like a gourmet meal."