Composer

:

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Fantasy

Compose Date

:

before 1785

Average_duration

:

7:17

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, the eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach, composed the 'Fantasia for keyboard in C minor (Ms. P 883)' in the mid-18th century. The exact date of composition is unknown, but it is believed to have been written between 1740 and 1760. The piece was not published during Bach's lifetime and was only discovered in manuscript form in the 20th century. The 'Fantasia for keyboard in C minor' is a single-movement work that is characterized by its improvisatory style and virtuosic keyboard writing. The piece begins with a slow, mournful introduction that sets the somber tone for the rest of the work. The main body of the piece is a series of fast, intricate passages that showcase the performer's technical abilities. The music is highly chromatic and features frequent modulations, giving it a sense of restlessness and instability. Despite its virtuosic demands, the 'Fantasia for keyboard in C minor' is not simply a showpiece. Bach's use of chromaticism and unexpected harmonic shifts creates a sense of tension and drama that is characteristic of the Sturm und Drang movement that was popular in Germany during the mid-18th century. The piece also features moments of lyricism and introspection, particularly in the slower sections. The 'Fantasia for keyboard in C minor' was likely intended for performance on a harpsichord or clavichord, which were the most common keyboard instruments of the time. However, it is also well-suited for performance on a modern piano, which can bring out the full range of dynamics and tonal colors that Bach may have envisioned. The 'Fantasia for keyboard in C minor' was not premiered during Bach's lifetime, and it is unclear if he ever intended it to be performed publicly. However, the piece has since become a staple of the keyboard repertoire and is frequently performed and recorded by pianists and harpsichordists alike. Its combination of technical demands and expressive depth make it a challenging and rewarding work for performers and listeners alike.

More....