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Explore Bach's violin music!

The Colorful BACH scores show the internal structure of J.S. Bach's Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin (BWV 1001-1006). Thanks to the groundbreaking method of Hungarian violinist and Bach researcher Márta Ábrahám, you can now learn these masterpieces more easily, quickly, and effectively than ever before!

Analysis of Bach’s Violin Works

ABOUT US

Dr. Márta Ábrahám

  • László Lajtha Prize-winning violinist
  • Professor at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, Budapest
  • Bach researcher

Since 2017, Márta Ábrahám’s name has become inseparably linked with Bach’s Chaconne and solo violin fugues. Together with her co-author, Barnabás Dukay, she has spent years uncovering the hidden structures and symbolic meanings within these masterpieces. Their groundbreaking research has opened up new dimensions in the analysis and interpretation of Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin.

Dr. Ábrahám, an internationally acclaimed violinist and music educator, developed the Colorful BACH method specifically for the younger generation of musicians. She has published numerous analytical studies, handbooks, and edited scores of Bach’s violin works, in both Hungarian and English, offering fresh perspectives for performers, teachers and students alike. She regularly performs worldwide, gives masterclasses and lectures that inspire future generations to engage deeply with Bach’s music.  Today, Colorful BACH has become an international brand recognized and used in 35 countries.

The Unknown Bach – Unlocking Secret Messages

Did you know that one of the most iconic works in the violin repertoire, the Chaconne, was composed in response to the sudden death of Bach’s first wife? Hidden within the structure of this monumental piece lies a calendar code-a musical tribute that reflects the tragic events of 1720 and reveals a deeply personal message from the composer. 

And did you know that the three violin fugues are thematically interconnected, reflecting key episodes from the life of Jesus? Together, they form a powerful spiritual and musical unity. With the help of the Colorful BACH scores, you don’t just play the music – you read the meaning behind every note. 

Dive into the deepest secrets of Bach’s music and experience his compositions like never before!

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About our publications

"...the printed musical texts undoubtedly offer a clear visual representation of the structural framework and inner detail of each fugue, admirably demonstrating their coherence...""
Robin StoleThe STRAD
“Excerpts from Eternity is an enormously detailed analytical study which I found fascinating to read. The book illuminates beautifully both the great complexity of Bach’s compositional work and the unparalleled elegance of his musical language.”
Christoph WolffHarvard University Department of Music , Adams University Professor, Emeritus
“Amazing book, research and presentation! This is a reference book, reading material for life. I will definitely return to it, discovering further layers of this masterpiece. Bravi!!!”
Hagai Shahamviolinist, professor of Tel Aviv University
"It opened my eyes to a lot of new dimensions; I enthusiastically recommend these works to violinists and musicians of all ages. I raise my hat in front of the authors talent, work and commitment!"
Gábor Takács-Nagyviolinist, conductor, founder of Takács Quartet
"Colourful BACH is a very interesting and useful project, especially for young violinists it is great."
Michael VaimanStudent of David Oistrach, Professor of Violin at Musichochschule Köln-Aachen
"I got your creation! Wonderfully researched into and set out. The students should be much clearer in ther understanding by reading this. All your analyses are clear and streat forward."
David Takenoprofessor of violin Guildhall School of Music
“The book ‘Excerpts from Eternity’ by Barnabás Dukay and Márta Ábrahám is a fascinating reading from beginning to the end and it leads the reader toward the central order of unification.”
Dr. Salamon Kamppresident of Hungarian Bach Society
"I can say that the Chaconne Handbook is a fantastic work."
György Paukviolin professor of Royal Academy of Music
"The way Chaconne Handbook is presented gives a clear understanding to the wonderful music. One can follow better and better, and discover more "secrets" between the lines of the score. From the intellectual approach there is - of course - direct influence on the interpretation. ALL MY COMPLIMENTS!"
Yair KlessViolinist, Professor of the Rubin Academy of Music Tel-Aviv, Kunstuniversitat Graz, and the RNCM’s International Chair in Violin, Manchester
"Through the Colorful BACH method, we get a way of looking at Bach's music that we haven't been able to find anywhere else."
Szilvay Gézaviolinist, founder of Colourstrings

Visual Polyphony – See Clearly, Hear Deeply!

Visual polyphony

All performers of Bach’s solo string works – violinist, violist, cellists, guitarist, and more – know the challenge – in traditional black-and-white scores, independent voices are often difficult to follow, and poliphonic relationships remain hidden. Although Bach’s original manuscript is artistically beautiful and historically inspiring, it offers little guidance for understanding the internal structure of the Chaconne and the fugues. 

No more getting lost in the ‘Bach Labyrinth’!

The Colorful BACH scores offer a practical an elegant solution. Through the -color coded- notation, they highlight independent voices, and make complex counterpoint visually transparent.

Analysis of Bach's Violin Works

Discover the "Smart" Scores!

  • Analysis: Gain insights with detailed formal, structural, and motivic analysis.
  • Unlock Bach’s Genius: Explore Bach’s compositional techniques and the masterful concepts behind the notes.
  • Experience the Beauty: Learn about the unparalleled richness of Bach’s musical language.

Boost Your Learning!

  • See every detail: Navigate the Chaconne and the fugues through a transparent visual roadmap.
  • Key Highlights: Themes, countersubjects, strettos, inversions are highlighted for easy understanding.
  • Master Voice Leading: Guidance for perfect voice leading.

Accelerate Your Progress!

  • Simplify Memorization: Colorful BACH scores offer a clear and organized framework to help you memorize the Chaconne and fugues effectively.
  • Improve your interpretation: Gain detailed guidance on performance challenges to develop a confident and authentik musical expression. 
  • Build technical skills: Strengthen your intonation, tone quality, and phrasing with targeted support. 

Get closer to Bach's music!

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Limitations of Traditional (black/white) notation

  • All notes appear black, making individual voices hard to distinguish
  • Themes, countersubjects, strettos, and inversions are difficult to recognize
  • The underlying polyphonic structure remains visually concealed

Advantages of Colorful BACH Notation

  • Serves as a visual roadmap, offering clear orientation within the score
  • Employs color to distinguish individual voices and textural layers
  • Makes themes, countersubjects, strettos, and inversions immediately identifiable
  • Unveils the complete polyphonic structure of the fugues
  • Guides your ear and fingers through proper voice leading—naturally and intuitivel

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Our mission is the publication and distribution of Johann Sebastian Bach’s solo violin and solo cello works, innovative analysis, sheet music, book and illustrative poster series based on the latest results of 21st century Bach research.