This is one of the so-titled Short Preludes and Fugues (8), a group of compositions whose authorship has prompted much speculation. Stylistically, the works seem at odds with other compositions by Bach, even early ones. Yet they possess more than a few qualities that point to this great master as composer. Some musicologists have asserted they must be very early works if Bach did indeed write them, but others hear in them evidence that they date to his later years. This C major effort is typical of the contradictions in the set: the thematic material has a generally Germanic cast, but the harmonies are Italianate. The opening theme is lively and filled with sunshine in its energy, but the accompaniment has a chugging gait and a comparatively barren character. The opening does not sound like most Bach listeners know, but it has been suggested that this work and the others in the set were written for keyboard students, and thus possibly not afforded the same attention as more serious compositional efforts. Moreover, the fugue half of this binary form piece divulges moments of mastery, especially in the contrapuntal writing. Overall, this four-minute work must be assessed as a worthwhile though quite minor effort regardless of who its author might be. https://youtube/watch?v=7BGJEzR5QDw
Posted on: Wed, 10 Sep 2014 10:09:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015