VC Artist Sergey Malov’s New Album, “Bach: 300 Years Of Solitude”

Released by EuroArts Music, Sergey’s new album features all six of Bach’s sonatas and partitas for solo violin

In an album of 27 tracks lasting over an hour, VC Artist Sergey Malov has recorded J.S. Bach’s famed six sonatas and partitas for solo violin, produced by the German label, EuroArts. 

Titled “Bach: 300 Years Of Solitude,” Sergey’s new release marks over 300 years since the six solo works were completed in 1720. 

There are three solo Sonatas laid out in four movements each. The second movement is always a fugue. The form of the three solo Partitas is freer, consisting of dances like Allemandes, Courantes, Sarabandes, and Gigues, with some additions of Bourrées, Minuets or Gavottes. 

During his lifetime, Bach was renowned for his skill on keyboard instruments but was also exceptional on violin. According to Rick Phillips, Bach’s second son, Carl Philipp Emanuel claimed that his father, “from his youth to his old age played the violin clearly and in tune, with a penetrating tone. He completely understood the possibilities of string instruments.” 

After Bach’s death in 1750, his Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin fell into obscurity. In their time, both Mendelssohn and Schumann created piano parts for the sonatas and partitas, hoping that they were “improving” them for their later time and tastes. 

It was not until the late 19th century, when the Hungarian violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim began performing them solo in recital that the six works gradually entered the standard violin repertoire. 

To purchase and listen to Sergey’s recording, click here. 

“Around 300 years have passed since the creation of the ‘bible’ of violinists — the six sonatas and partitas for solo violin by J.S. Bach,” Sergey said in the press release. “Even the title page raises a few puzzles: ‘Sei solo’ is grammatically incorrect in Italian when speaking of several solo pieces. Literally translated, however, it means ‘You are alone’, which could have a deeper meaning in this context. The year 1720, which is noted on the manuscript, also marks the death of Maria Barbara Bach, Johann Sebastian's wife.

“Solitude is a study of loneliness, with the Chaconne as its climax — and an immortal memorial to Maria Barbara Bach,” he continued. “‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ is one of the most important novels of the 20th century by Gabriel García Márquez, and also one of my favourite books.”

Hailing from St. Petersburg, Sergey plays violin, viola, baroque violin, and cello da spalla. On the violin, he has won prizes at the Paganini, Mozart, Heifetz, and Michael Hill Competitions; on the viola, his prizes include those at the ARD Competition and the Tokyo Viola Competition.

He has since performed with orchestras such as the BBC London Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Enesco Philharmonic Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2017, Sergey was appointed professor at the Zurich Musikhochschule. His recordings have been released by Decca, EASonus, Hänssler Profil, Alba, SoloMusica, and Pan Classics.