Johann Christian Bach (1735 -- 1782) was a composer of
the Classical era, the eleventh child and youngest son
of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is sometimes referred to
as "the London Bach" or "the English Bach", due to his
time spent living in the British capital, where he came
to be known as John Bach. He is noted for influencing
the concerto style of Mozart.
Bach composed a set of six symphonies that were
assigned the opus number 18 by music publisher and
seller William Forster, who bega...(+)
Johann Christian Bach (1735 -- 1782) was a composer of
the Classical era, the eleventh child and youngest son
of Johann Sebastian Bach. He is sometimes referred to
as "the London Bach" or "the English Bach", due to his
time spent living in the British capital, where he came
to be known as John Bach. He is noted for influencing
the concerto style of Mozart.
Bach composed a set of six symphonies that were
assigned the opus number 18 by music publisher and
seller William Forster, who began to publish them as
Bach was dying in the autumn of 1781. All are finely
crafted works, but Nos. 1, 3, and 5, scored for double
orchestra, are particularly impressive. Bach's unusual
configuration is comprised of two string sections,
seated left and right, with horns and oboes on one side
and flutes on the other (the bassoon could be in either
group). With this arrangement Bach was able to create
some splendid effects, such as the antiphonal exchange
of musical ideas. No. 1's Spiritoso first movement
fairly leaps with coiled energy but also contains many
finely graded quieter moments. No. 3's jubilant finale
features some beautifully scored woodwind passages,
while No. 5 ends with a grand minuet in the manner of
Haydn.
Symphonies 2, 4, and 6 actually began life in the opera
house. No. 2 is the overture Bach's opera Lucio Silla,
its three sections conforming to those of a symphony.
Symphony No. 6, compiled from the overture and two
ballet movements from the opera Amadis de Gaule,
probably was not even arranged by Bach. However, his
compositional genius ensures that the impact and
enjoyment of these "symphonies" is in no way diminished
by their contrived origins.
Although originally written for Flutes (2), Violin, and
Violoncello, I created this arrangement for Woodwinds
(Flute & Bb Clarinet) and Strings (Viola & Cello) at
the request of Sybille Kaunat.
