Johann Sebastian Bach

1. Johann Sebastian Bach 1685-1750

2. Baroque Period • Baroque – derived from the Portuguese word barrocomeaning “an irregular shaped pearl” • Era of absolute monarchy • Religious wars • Protestants vs. Catholics • Rise of the middle-class • Poverty and wasteful luxury • Advances in Science • Kepler, Galileo, Copernicus Heliocentric “I am the State”

3. Johann Sebastian Bach “Music must serve the glory of God” • 1685-1750 • Born in Eisenach, Germany • Came from a large family of musicians • Learned to play violin from his father • Studied organ with his older brother, a student of Pachelbel • Married Twice • Maria Barbara Bach – Seven Children • Anna Magdelana – Thirteen Children • Critics thought his music was too old fashioned, revival of interest in works began in early nineteenth century

4. Well-Tempered Clavier • Two separate publications, each has twenty-four preludes and fugues. • Pairs of movements in each collections are set in all major and minor keys. • Demonstrates possibilities for playing in all keys on an instrument tuned in equal temperament. • Pianists “Old Testament” – New Testament being Beethoven’s thrity-two piano sonatas • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFmGbYXt7U8

5. Preludes and Fugues • Toccata in D Minor BWV 565 • BWV - Bach Werke Verzeichnis (Bach Works Catalogue) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipzR9bhei_o

6. Brandenburg Concertos • Six Works dedicated to the margrave of Brandenburg • Concerto • Instrumental genre in several movements for solo instrument and orchestra • Concerto Grosso • Baroque concerto type based on opposition between a small group of solo instruments (concertino) and orchestra (ripieno) • Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F Major http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EC1E4_imS0A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCnJ1Rk93_g http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jtk4ETAx8g

8. Johann Sebastian Bach • Early life • Mother died when he was nine, father died within a year • Weimar • Required to write a new cantata every month • Jumped at the opportunity of a new position in Cöthen • Duke William Ernst was infuriated and sent him to jail for a month • Cöthen • Employed by the Prince of Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, held a position of Capellmeister – highest rank for a musician at the time. • Returned from a trip to find his wife had died. • At this time he wrote the Partita No.2 for solo violin in D minor.

9. Baroque Suite • Sets of dance-inspired movements for solo instruments, small groups, or orchestra. • All written in the same key but differ in tempo, meter, and character. • Movements have a variety of national origins: • Allemande – Germany • Courante – France • Gavotte - France • Sarabande – Spain • Gigue – England/Ireland

10. Baroque Suite • Usually begins with a movement that is not dance-inspired. • French Overture • Two parts • First Section • Slow section with dotted rhythms • Second Section • Quick and lighter, often begins as a fugue. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2SGb0x7Jqw

11. Allemande • Typically the first movement in a suite, later is preceded by a prelude. • “French for German” • Binary Form • Quadruple meter • Begins on an upbeat • Bass line moves in a stepwise melodic line

12. Courante • French for Courir “To Run” • Binary Form • Triple Meter • Begins on an upbeat • Continuous Triplets • Sequencing – minor scale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WNrH9PK0ug

13. Sarabande • Slow dance • Binary Form • Triple Meter • Theme returns in the Chaconne. • Very solemn longing feel expressed throughout http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0FEXtupkp0

14. Gigue • French for Jig • Binary Form • Compound Meter • Moderately Fast

15. Chaccone • Variations over basso continuo • Dance song imported from Latin America to Spain later moved to Italy where it was known at the Ciaconna. • Most well-known movement of any partita • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke34bIxmVas