This site introduces unknown composer Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.
Asked to ChatGPT4o: "Please introduce each of J. S. Bach’s keyboard concertos, including the intended instrument and approximate date of composition."
Johann Sebastian Bach’s keyboard concertos (Konzert für ein oder mehrere Claviere und Orchester) represent one of the earliest and most significant developments in the concerto use of keyboard instruments in the 18th century. Below is an overview of the major solo keyboard concertos (BWV 1052–1065), including intended instrument, estimated composition/arrangement date, and possible original sources, based primarily on recent musicological research.
| BWV | Key | Intended Instrument | Estimated Date | Notes / Possible Original |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1052 | D minor | Harpsichord (or organ) | Early 1730s (Leipzig) | Based on a lost violin concerto (reconstructions exist) |
| 1053 | E-flat major | Harpsichord | 1730s | Adapted from movements of cantatas BWV 169, 49, etc. |
| 1054 | D major | Harpsichord | 1738–39 | Based on the Violin Concerto BWV 1042 |
| 1055 | A major | Harpsichord | 1738–39 | Possibly from an oboe d’amore concerto (reconstruction available) |
| 1056 | F minor | Harpsichord | 1738–39 | Considered a reworking of a violin concerto |
| 1057 | F major | Harpsichord | 1738–39 | Based on Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 (BWV 1049) |
| 1058 | G minor | Harpsichord | 1738–39 | Based on Violin Concerto BWV 1041 |
| 1059 | D minor (fragment) | Harpsichord | 1730s | Related to Cantata BWV 35, etc.; unfinished |
| 1060 | C minor (for two keyboards) | 2 Harpsichords | c. 1736 | From a concerto for oboe and violin (reconstruction available) |
| 1061 | C major (for two keyboards) | 2 Harpsichords | c. 1736 | Fully original keyboard work; considered an independent composition |
| 1062 | C minor (for two keyboards) | 2 Harpsichords | c. 1736 | Arrangement of BWV 1043 (Double Violin Concerto) |
| 1063 | D minor (for three keyboards) | 3 Harpsichords | 1733–36 | Original lost; includes passages possibly from violin concertos |
| 1064 | A major (for three keyboards) | 3 Harpsichords | c. 1736 | May derive from a triple violin concerto (reconstruction available) |
| 1065 | A minor (for four keyboards) | 4 Harpsichords | 1735 | Arrangement of Vivaldi: Concerto for 4 violins Op. 3 No. 10 (RV 580) |
The term "Clavier" here generally refers to the harpsichord (Cembalo), though in specific contexts it may also imply organ (as in BWV 1052 and 1053) or even clavichord (for domestic performance).
In particular, BWV 1052 and 1053 include movements used in cantatas, suggesting elements of organ concertos may have been present.
If desired, the following expansions can be provided:
Please let me know if you would like any of these additions.