Composer

:

Johann Sebastian Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Partita

Compose Date

:

1726 - 1731

Publication Date

:

1731

Average_duration

:

19:25

Movement_count

:

6

Movement ....

Johann Sebastian Bach's Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826, is a solo keyboard work composed in the early 1720s. It is believed to have been written for the harpsichord, but it is often performed on the piano today. The partita consists of seven movements, each with its own unique character and technical challenges. The partita was likely composed between 1717 and 1723, during Bach's time as Kapellmeister in Cöthen. It was first published in 1731 as part of Bach's Clavier-Übung I, a collection of keyboard works that also included the six partitas and the Italian Concerto. The partita was premiered by Bach himself, who was known for his virtuosic keyboard playing. The first movement of the partita is a Sinfonia, which is characterized by its slow tempo and expressive melody. The second movement is an Allemande, a dance in quadruple meter that is known for its flowing, lyrical character. The third movement is a Courante, a dance in triple meter that is characterized by its lively, syncopated rhythms. The fourth movement is a Sarabande, a slow dance in triple meter that is known for its melancholic character. The fifth movement is a Rondeaux, a lively dance in binary form that is characterized by its playful, virtuosic character. The sixth movement is a Capriccio, a fast and technically demanding piece that is characterized by its virtuosic runs and arpeggios. The final movement of the partita is a Gigue, a dance in compound meter that is known for its lively, energetic character. The Gigue is characterized by its fast tempo and intricate rhythms, and it is often considered one of the most challenging movements in the partita. Overall, Bach's Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826, is a masterful work that showcases the composer's technical and expressive abilities. Its seven movements offer a wide range of musical styles and moods, from the expressive Sinfonia to the virtuosic Capriccio and Gigue. Today, the partita remains a popular work in the keyboard repertoire, and it is often performed and studied by pianists and harpsichordists alike.

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