Blog top > Article from December 2024 > Charm of Second Movements in C.P.E. Bachʼs Concertos

This is a blog about this site, which introduces the lesser-known Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.

The Charm of the Second Movements in Emanuel Bachʼs Concertos

Many of Emanuel Bachʼs keyboard concertos are particularly captivating in their second movements. The same can be said for Mozartʼs piano concertos (for example, No. 23), which is likely because Mozart imitated Emanuel Bach. (On the other hand, Mozart imitated Christian Bach in the form of the first movements.)

The Second Movements of Major Key Concertos

The second movements of Emanuel Bachʼs major key concertos are usually in a minor key. Among these, Wq. 14 seems particularly appealing.

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 14 in E Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 28 in B-flat Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 19 in A Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 20 in C Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 43-6 in C Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 25 in B-flat Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 34 in G Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 45 in D Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 12 in F Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 11 in D Major

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 29 in A Major

In Emanuel Bachʼs keyboard concertos, not all second movements of major key pieces are in a minor key; Wq. 43-5 is fundamentally in a major key.

Keyboard Concerto Wq. 43-5 in G Major

The Second Movements of minor Key Concertos

Unlike Mozart, Emanuel Bach composed many minor key concertos, but the second movements of these minor key concertos are usually in a major key. Perhaps due to the presence of chromatic notes, they have a deeply moving resonance. The second movement of Wq. 17, featured on the top page of this site, is particularly captivating to me.