Friedemann Bach

Wilhelm Friedemann Bach was born in Weimar in 1710, the eldest son of the great Bach. His own mother, Maria Barbara, died when he was nine years old. He was loved by his father and had high expectations of him, but he is often described as a tragic figure who was almost crushed by these excessive expectations. It is said that he was mentally conflicted because he was constantly compared to his excellent younger brothers, such as the diligent and solid Carl Philipp Emanuel and Johann Christian, who was active on the world stage. In looking at his style, many of his compositions show this mental instability. They are called “Empfindsamer Stil (sensitive style)”. The Concerto for Harpsichord in A minor and E minor, composed around 1740, already show signs of this style.

Keyboard works include many sonatas, fantasias, polonaises, and fugues; the “eight fugues” are for organ, but can be played on the harpsichord since they are in hand keys only. In chamber music, the six duets for two flutes are by far the most famous works of their time. There are also many fine works in the trio sonatas and flute sonatas. In vocal music, he composed quite a few cantatas. Among his works, the D minor Sinfonia is one of the most favored and often performed in now time. It is a fascinating piece with an adagio opening section followed by a fugue with an impressive theme. I highly recommend take a listen. #baroque #bach #片山俊幸