This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Asked ChatGPT4o: “When I listen to Wilhelm Friedemann Bachʼs sonatas, I feel that the harmony in the contrapuntal sections sounds hollow. Did he compose with sufficient attention to harmony?”
Regarding the point that the harmony in the contrapuntal sections of Wilhelm Friedemann Bachʼs sonatas may sound hollow, this could be due to several factors.
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, the eldest son of J.S. Bach, received extremely rigorous musical training from his father. His works often feature contrapuntal techniques and complex harmonies. However, his music frequently displays a unique individuality and sometimes takes a different approach from other composers of his time.
Emphasis on Counterpoint: Wilhelm Friedemann Bach placed great importance on contrapuntal structures, often emphasizing melodic independence. As a result, the harmony can sometimes feel thin. Because each voice moves independently in his contrapuntal sections, the sound may differ from traditional harmonic progressions.
Freedom of Expression: His works exhibit a freedom of emotional expression, leading to more personal choices in harmony that can sometimes feel unstable. He frequently broke harmonic rules in pursuit of his own unique expression.
Historical Context: Wilhelm Friedemann Bach lived during the transitional period from Baroque to Classical music, a time when harmonic practices were also evolving. His compositions reflect this transitional phase and often diverge from traditional harmonic conventions.
The perceived hollowness in the harmony of the contrapuntal sections in Wilhelm Friedemann Bach’s sonatas can be attributed to his compositional style, historical context, and focus on counterpoint. While he paid considerable attention to harmony, his approach did not always adhere to traditional harmonic rules, instead pursuing more personal and distinctive expression.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “I felt this way particularly in the Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B.”
Let’s further explore the sense of hollow harmony in the Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B.
This sonata is a typical work of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, reflecting his distinctive compositional style. Notable aspects include the following:
Use of Counterpoint: Bachʼs contrapuntal writing emphasizes the independence of each voice. This often leads to sounds that deviate from traditional harmonic progressions, potentially resulting in a sense of hollow harmony.
Harmonic Choices: He deliberately deviates from harmonic norms to pursue his own expression. His harmonic progressions, unconstrained by Baroque traditions, might feel unstable to modern listeners.
Form and Structure: While following the typical structure of a Baroque sonata, this work also showcases Bach’s distinctive free expression. His use of harmony in contrapuntal sections strongly reflects his individuality.
The hollow harmony in the Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B stems from Bach’s contrapuntal techniques and his harmonic choices. By departing from traditional harmonic practices, he pursued a unique musical expression, resulting in harmony that may feel sparse. Understanding this trait is key to appreciating Wilhelm Friedemann Bachʼs music.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “When was this piece composed?”
The exact composition year of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach’s Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B is unknown. However, considering his active years and stylistic features, it was likely composed between the 1730s and 1740s during his time in Leipzig or Halle.
Comparing this sonata to his other works, it reflects characteristics from his early to middle periods, suggesting it was composed during this timeframe. During this period, he composed numerous instrumental and keyboard works, to which this sonata likely belongs.
Asked ChatGPT4o: “If it was composed in the 1730s, that would be during the time Wilhelm was studying under Sebastian. Would Sebastian have approved of this style?”
If the Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B was composed in the 1730s, this would indeed coincide with Wilhelm Friedemann Bachʼs period of instruction under his father, Johann Sebastian Bach. Below is an explanation of their relationship and how it relates to the style of this piece.
Johann Sebastian Bach emphasized strict counterpoint and rich harmony. However, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, while building on this foundation, pursued a freer and more individualistic style. The hollow harmony in the Sonata in F Major, BR A 11b / Fk 6B reflects Wilhelmʼs unique exploration of musical expression. It is uncertain how much Sebastian approved of this style, but it is clear that Wilhelm developed his own musical identity beyond his father’s teachings.