The Canonic Trio Sonata in F major is a short piece by Johann Sebastian Bach, catalogued as BWV 1040.[1][2] The instrumentation is for oboe, violin, and basso continuo (generally a combination of cello and harpsichord or such). Played adagio, the 27-measure, common time piece is less than two minutes long.
It was probably first performed on 23 February 1712 (or 1713).[3] Besides being a stand-alone piece, Bach also incorporated it into the soprano aria Weil die wollenreichen Herden (While the flocks rich in wool) in the Hunting Cantata BWV 208[4] and into an aria Mein gläubiges Herze (My faithful heart) in Cantata BWV 68.[5] In fact in his book The Faber Pocket Guide to Bach Sir Nicholas Kenyon dismisses the piece saying "The trio BWV 1040 does not really need a number of its own since it is the wholly delightful trio sonata that springs as a postlude from Cantata 208 and then Cantata 68".[6] Nevertheless, it is performed in its own right as an instrumental piece.[7][8][9][10]