Fantasy for solo violin – Program Notes by Omri Kochavi

Fantasy for solo violin is a piece composed in conversation with J.S. Bach’s Andante from Sonata N. 2 in
A minor, BWV 1003. The piece builds upon Bach’s ideas in several fields. Melodic, textural, rhythmical,
and structural aspects are drawn from the Andante, and used as the grounding foundation for the
piece’s main thematic ideas.

The melodic aspect is apparent right in the start of the piece, where a transformation of the first theme
of the andante serves as the first theme of the piece, from which the entire opening section is
constructed. The same theme from the Andante is then being reflected on once more in the sostenuto
middle section of the piece, revealed in its original form towards the end of the section, before starting
the transition back to the first theme. In the textural aspect, the piece is mainly contrapuntal, based
upon Bach’s ever-lasting mastery of it. Even when he writes for an instrument that can be more limited
in its contrapuntal abilities such as the violin - Bach maintains to utilize its strengths and hide its
weaknesses, in order to keep consistent independence and apparent freedom for his numerous voices.
In the piece, several of Bach’s techniques have been used to enhance voices independence, but also
new techniques not yet common in Bach’s time – such as the use left hand pizzicato as an
accompaniment to a simultaneous melodic bowed line. Bach’s constant variation of phrase lengths, bar
subdivisions, and displacement are some of the rhythmical and structural aspects that serve a model for
the architecture of the piece. The use of asymmetry across all aspects of the piece – phrase lengths,
section lengths, harmonic rhythm, and melodic design – are reminiscent of Bach’s natural way of using it
in so much of his music, the Andante included.
The piece was written in collaboration with violinist Vivek Menon. Unlike other cases, the collaboration
was not manifested only in revisions after the completion of the work – It was present from the
beginning, allowing both sides rare insights into their colleagues work process. It started in the talks
prior to the beginning of the composition, from the point of choosing the movement that the new piece
will be based upon together. It continued with constant communication regarding ideas for the piece,
and also constant back and forth throughout the composition process, discussing various technical and
musical aspects. After the solidification of the piece’s structure, final performance edits were made with
Vivek’s advice from spending time preparing the piece – regarding different bowing, dynamics,
phrasings, and fingering considerations.

Fantasy for solo was written in Fall 2018, is scored for unaccompanied, and lasts approx. 5:30 minutes.