The works of the great Leipzig cantor Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) have inspired generations of musicians, among them Johannes Brahms (1833-1897). Brahms particularly admired Bach's D-minor Chaconne from the Partita for solo violin (BWV 1004) and transformed the piece into a work for piano, left hand. In limiting the performer to the left hand alone, Brahms wanted to simulate for the pianist the physical movements required of the violinist.