Performance practice techniques and conflicts between interpretations of the violin sonata in G minor by Johann Sebastian Bach

Includes bibliographical references (page 23)For many decades, discrepancies among performers and the proper interpretation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach has lingered and sparked controversy between artists. While many believe that recreating the ???Baroque??? style of playing is necessary by the use of period instruments, many think that this style of playing can be obtained with our modern instruments, as long as the performer interprets the music in the Baroque style. However, several musicians argue that considering we have new, modern instruments, we cannot aim to recreate anything from the past as back in the Baroque period; J.S. Bach as well as other composers, did not imagine how their music would sound on a modern instrument. This is where the controversy comes into play among performers. Does one perform the music of J.S. Bach as they would normally play on their modern instrument, or does one try to emulate, with modern instruments, an authentic performance as it would be done with the period instruments of the Baroque era? My main focus in this paper will be the differences and controversies in the interpretation of J.S. Bach???s solo violin Sonatas and Partitas, particularly the Sonata No.1 in G minor. Through an in-depth study of scores, interviews and recordings, I will show how I believe the music of J.S. Bach should be properly interpreted and why performers should not aim to imitate a style of playing based on when a certain composer lived