Composer

:

Johann Jacob Froberger

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Toccata

Compose Date

:

before 1656

Publication Date

:

1656

Average_duration

:

3:55

Johann Jacob Froberger was a German Baroque composer and keyboard player who lived from 1616 to 1667. He was one of the most important keyboard composers of his time, and his music had a significant influence on later composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach. Froberger's Toccata No. 12, for keyboard in A minor, FbWV 112, was composed in the mid-17th century. The exact date of composition is not known, but it is believed to have been written sometime between 1649 and 1656. The piece is a toccata, which is a type of keyboard composition that is characterized by its virtuosic and improvisatory style. The Toccata No. 12 is in A minor, which was a popular key for toccatas during the Baroque period. The piece is in three movements, with the first and third movements being in A minor and the second movement being in A major. The first movement is marked "Presto" and is a fast and lively piece that showcases the performer's technical abilities. The second movement is marked "Adagio" and is a slower and more contemplative piece that provides a contrast to the first and third movements. The third movement is marked "Allegro" and is another fast and lively piece that brings the composition to a thrilling conclusion. The Toccata No. 12 is a virtuosic and challenging piece that requires a high level of technical skill from the performer. It is characterized by its fast and intricate runs, its use of ornamentation, and its frequent changes in tempo and mood. The piece also features a number of imitative passages, where one voice imitates another, which was a common technique in Baroque music. Overall, Froberger's Toccata No. 12 is a masterful example of Baroque keyboard music. Its virtuosic style and technical demands make it a challenging piece for performers, while its intricate harmonies and use of ornamentation make it a rewarding piece for listeners.

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