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Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035 - Siciliano
  • Master E Major with four sharps
  • Develop Siciliano dance style
  • Practice dotted rhythms in 6/8 time

About This Piece

Composer: J.S. Bach (1685-1750)

Difficulty: Early Intermediate

Notes Used: C#, D#, E, F#, G#, A, B, C# (high), D# (high), E (high)

Time Signature: 6/8

Key: E Major

Fingering Review

Full Movement (Simplified)

One of Bach's most famous Sicilianos, this movement combines the pastoral character of the dance with profound emotional depth.

Practice Tips

  • Siciliano character: Pastoral and gentle with a lilting quality
  • 6/8 meter: Feel in two - each beat divides into three eighth notes
  • Sharp notes: Pay careful attention to F#, G#, C#, and D# fingerings
  • Expression: Despite the dance form, this Siciliano has deep emotional content

Practice Exercises

Master the E Major scale with four sharps.

Focus on the chromatic notes used in this piece.

Practice the graceful descending opening.

Master the ascending pattern smoothly.

Put together the full opening section.

Historical Context

The Siciliano from Bach's Flute Sonata in E Major, BWV 1035, is one of the most beautiful movements in all of Baroque chamber music. Composed during Bach's Leipzig period (after 1723), this sonata represents his mature style. The Siciliano, a pastoral dance form in 6/8 or 12/8 time, typically evokes shepherds' songs and rural scenes. Bach elevates this dance form to sublime heights, combining its characteristic lilting rhythm with profound harmonic richness and emotional depth. The E Major tonality, with its four sharps, creates a particularly bright and ethereal quality. This movement is frequently performed separately and has been transcribed for many instruments. For recorder players, it's a challenging but rewarding piece that develops both technical facility with sharps and expressive musical maturity. The movement's fame extends beyond classical music - it has been used in films and popular culture.

Performance Goal: Play with a beautiful, singing tone that captures both the pastoral simplicity and the profound emotional depth of this movement. Pay careful attention to all the sharps, ensuring they are perfectly in tune. The music should flow with gentle grace while maintaining its emotional intensity.

Next Steps

Once you can play this movement confidently, try:

  • Adding subtle ornamentation in Baroque style
  • Experimenting with different dynamic shadings
  • Learning the complete sonata (all movements)
  • Comparing this with other famous Sicilianos
  • Exploring other Bach works in E Major