Top > Music Publishing > Music Publishing by C.P.E. Bach of J.S. Bachʼs Works

This site introduces unknown composer Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach). This English version was translated from Japanese one by ChatGPT.

Music Publishing by Emanuel Bach of Sebastian Bachʼs Works

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Were the scores published by Emanuel Bach regarding Sebastian Bach more reliable than others?"

Regarding the works of Sebastian Bach (J.S. Bach), the scores published by Emanuel Bach (C.P.E. Bach) are considered more reliable than other editions. Below, I will explain the reasons in detail.

Emanuel Bachʼs Role and Reliability

1. Direct Relationship:

   • C.P.E. Bach was the son of J.S. Bach and was deeply familiar with his fatherʼs works. He understood his fatherʼs musical style and intentions well, and he used this knowledge to edit and publish the scores.

2. Access to Original Materials:

   • C.P.E. Bach had direct access to J.S. Bachʼs original manuscripts and autographs, allowing him to create more accurate and reliable scores. He aimed to faithfully reproduce his fatherʼs intentions based on these materials.

3. Editorial Policy:

   • When publishing his fatherʼs works, C.P.E. Bach emphasized respecting the original intentions as much as possible. This meant avoiding embellishments or changes added by other editors.

Specific Publishing Activities

1. J.S. Bachʼs Keyboard Music:

   • C.P.E. Bach published his fatherʼs keyboard music (such as the “Well-Tempered Clavier”). These editions are based on the original manuscripts and are considered more accurate than others.

2. Religious Music:

   • J.S. Bachʼs religious music was also edited and published by C.P.E. Bach. His editions are faithful to the original and serve as important resources for later researchers and performers.

Comparison with Other Publishers

1. Reliability Issues with Other Editions:

   • When other publishers released J.S. Bachʼs works, they often included personal interpretations or embellishments by the editors, which could deviate from the original intentions.

2. Existence of Pirated Editions:

   • Unauthorized publications and pirated editions also existed, which were often of low quality and inaccurate. These editions lacked reliability and were often unsuitable for scholarly research or performance.

Modern Perspective

1. Modern Editions:

   • Modern editions aim to create the most reliable versions by comparing multiple sources, including C.P.E. Bachʼs editions. These use original manuscripts, first editions, and other historical materials.

2. Musicological Research:

   • Musicologists regard C.P.E. Bachʼs editions as important references and highly value their reliability. However, they also seek a more comprehensive understanding by comparing them with other sources.

Conclusion

The scores of J.S. Bach published by C.P.E. Bach are considered more reliable than other editions. This is because he had direct access to his fatherʼs original materials and understood his intentions well. Additionally, C.P.E. Bachʼs editorial policy of respecting the original intentions is highly regarded for its accuracy. Editions published by other publishers often included personal interpretations or embellishments by editors, which could compromise their reliability. Today, modern editions are created based on multiple sources, including C.P.E. Bachʼs editions, to provide the most reliable versions available.

I asked ChatGPT4o: “Did Emanuel Bach publish the score for BWV 906?”

There is no specific record that Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Emanuel Bach) published the score for Johann Sebastian Bachʼs Fantasia BWV 906. Here are some points to consider.

Background on Score Publication

1. Emanuel Bachʼs Editorial Activities

   • Emanuel Bach played a role in editing and disseminating his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs works, but there is no record of him specifically publishing BWV 906.

2. Incompleteness of BWV 906

   • BWV 906 is an incomplete work, particularly lacking a finale, which may have made it difficult to publish in a completed form.

3. Emanuel Bachʼs Publishing Activities

   • While Emanuel Bach published some of his own works and several of his fatherʼs works during his lifetime, there is no specific publication information regarding BWV 906.

Current Publishing Situation

• Today, the score for BWV 906 is available from many publishers. Notably, publishers like Bärenreiter and Henle offer edited versions.

• These editions are based on original materials and autographs, reflecting the results of Bach research.

Conclusion

There is no concrete evidence that Emanuel Bach published the score for BWV 906, but today, edited versions are available from many publishers. Emanuel Bach played an important role in disseminating his fatherʼs works, but there is no record of him publishing BWV 906, likely due to its incomplete nature.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Are the scores of Sebastian Bach published by Emanuel Bach still available today?"

The publishing activities of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Emanuel Bach) regarding the scores of Johann Sebastian Bach (Sebastian Bach) played an important role in preserving and disseminating his fatherʼs works. Emanuel Bach made efforts to organize and publish his fatherʼs works after his death. Here are some specific examples.

Published Scores

1. “The Art of Fugue” BWV 1080

   • Emanuel Bach was involved in organizing and publishing the score for “The Art of Fugue.” This work is a culmination of Sebastian Bachʼs contrapuntal techniques and became widely known through Emanuel Bachʼs efforts.

2. “Musical Offering” BWV 1079

   • This work was also organized and published by Emanuel Bach. It was written as a dedication to Frederick the Great and is characterized by complex counterpoint and beautiful music.

3. “Goldberg Variations” BWV 988

   • Emanuel Bach was involved in the first edition publication of this work. The Goldberg Variations are particularly famous among Sebastian Bachʼs keyboard music and became widely performed thanks to Emanuel Bachʼs efforts.

Current Publishing Situation

• Many of the scores of Sebastian Bach that Emanuel Bach was involved in are still published and performed today. These works have been reissued as edited versions based on original materials, reflecting advances in Bach research.

• For example, publishers like Bärenreiter and Henle offer works by Sebastian Bach, including those scores Emanuel Bach was involved in.

Conclusion

The scores of Sebastian Bach published by Emanuel Bach are still widely available and continue to be performed today. His efforts preserved and transmitted important works of Sebastian Bach to future generations, allowing us to enjoy Bachʼs rich musical heritage.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Did Emanuel Bach not publish Sebastian Bachʼs scores in a series-like, organized manner?"

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Emanuel Bach) did publish his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs scores in a series-like, organized manner. Notably, he planned and executed the publication of collections of Sebastian Bachʼs works. Below are details of Emanuel Bachʼs publishing activities.

Musikalisches Opfer (Musical Offering)

• Publication Year: 1747
• Content: “Musical Offering” BWV 1079 is a collection dedicated to Frederick the Great, including ricercars, canons, and a trio sonata. Emanuel Bachʼs cooperation significantly contributed to this publication.

Clavier-Übung (Keyboard Practice)

• Series Structure: 4 volumes in total
• Content: Published by Sebastian Bach himself, Emanuel Bach edited and helped disseminate it.
  • Volume 1: Partitas BWV 825-830
  • Volume 2: Italian Concerto BWV 971 and French Overture BWV 831
  • Volume 3: Organ works (preludes and fugues, chorales)
  • Volume 4: Goldberg Variations BWV 988

Die Kunst der Fuge (The Art of Fugue)

• Publication Year: 1751 (after Sebastian Bachʼs death)
• Content: “The Art of Fugue” BWV 1080, a culmination of counterpoint, was published with the cooperation of Emanuel Bach and his brother Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. This publication played an important role in transmitting Sebastian Bachʼs contrapuntal techniques to future generations.

Other Series Publications

Emanuel Bach planned several series to disseminate his fatherʼs works, including those he independently edited and published. However, these series did not cover all of his fatherʼs works, focusing instead on publishing important works.

Conclusion

Emanuel Bach published important works of Sebastian Bach in series, contributing to their dissemination. This allowed Sebastian Bachʼs music to be transmitted to future generations, maintaining its influence. His efforts played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating the musical heritage of the Bach family.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "I heard that Emanuel Bach felt a sense of crisis about the dispersal of Sebastian Bachʼs scores and published them. If so, wouldnʼt he have published as many scores as he could gather?"

It is true that Emanuel Bach engaged in publishing activities to prevent the dispersal of his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs scores, but there were several reasons why he could not publish all the works together.

Reason 1: Economic Constraints and Publishing Environment

Publishing in the 18th century was very costly, and it was difficult for Emanuel Bach to raise the funds needed to publish all of his fatherʼs works at once. Additionally, the limitations of publishing technology and the market made it unrealistic to publish all the works at once.

Reason 2: Vastness of the Works

Johann Sebastian Bachʼs works are vast and span many genres. Collecting and publishing all of these at once was very challenging given the publishing technology and logistics of the time. Therefore, Emanuel Bach likely prioritized publishing particularly important works or those in high demand in the market.

Reason 3: Time for Editing and Organizing

Emanuel Bach needed time and effort to organize and edit his fatherʼs works. He was also engaged in his own composing and teaching activities, making it difficult to quickly compile and publish all the works.

Reason 4: Dispersal of the Legacy

After Johann Sebastian Bachʼs death, his works were dispersed among family and disciples. It was not easy for Emanuel Bach to collect all the scores, and some works may have been lost.

Conclusion

Emanuel Bach was concerned about the dispersal of his fatherʼs scores and made efforts to publish as many works as possible, but due to economic, technological, and logistical constraints of the time, he could not publish all the works together. Nevertheless, his efforts preserved many important works and transmitted them to future generations. His publishing activities played a crucial role in preserving and disseminating Sebastian Bachʼs musical heritage.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Did anyone assist Emanuel Bach in organizing Sebastian Bachʼs scores?"

Yes, there were several collaborators who assisted Emanuel Bach in his efforts to organize and publish his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs scores. Their cooperation helped preserve and transmit Bachʼs vast works to future generations. Below are the main collaborators.

Main Collaborators

1. Wilhelm Friedemann Bach

   • The eldest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and Emanuel Bachʼs brother. He was also interested in preserving his fatherʼs works and assisted in organizing and publishing some scores. He is particularly noted for his involvement in the publication of “The Art of Fugue” BWV 1080.

2. Johann Nikolaus Forkel

   • A prominent musicologist in the late 18th century who wrote the first biography of Bach. Forkel collaborated with Emanuel Bach, providing advice for organizing and preserving Sebastian Bachʼs works. His biography played an important role in conveying Bachʼs works and their significance to future generations.

3. Georg Philipp Telemann

   • Telemann had a close relationship with the Bach family and is said to have provided advice and support to Emanuel Bach. Telemannʼs extensive network and influence helped in the dissemination of Bachʼs works.

4. Disciples of Johann Sebastian Bach

   • Many of Sebastian Bachʼs disciples (such as Johann Gottfried Müthel and Johann Christian Kittel) assisted in organizing and preserving his works. They copied Bachʼs handwritten scores and engaged in activities to transmit them to future generations.

Other Contributors

• Carl Friedrich Abel

  • A friend of Emanuel Bach and a musician who worked with him in London. He also contributed to the dissemination of Bachʼs works.

• Johann Christian Bach

  • Emanuel Bachʼs younger brother, who also performed and disseminated his fatherʼs works.

Conclusion

Emanuel Bach received assistance from many collaborators in his efforts to organize and publish his fatherʼs vast works. The cooperation of his brothers, musicologists, and disciples was particularly important. Thanks to the efforts of these collaborators, the great works of Johann Sebastian Bach were preserved and transmitted to future generations.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Did Christian Bach not contribute to the organization of Sebastian Bachʼs scores?"

Johann Christian Bach (J.C. Bach) is said to have contributed less directly to the organization and preservation of his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs scores compared to his other brothers. Here is the background explanation.

Background of Johann Christian Bach

1. Activities in London

   • After his fatherʼs death, Johann Christian Bach left Germany and eventually settled in London after a period in Italy. He became successful in London and was known as the “London Bach.” This geographical distance made it difficult for him to be directly involved in the organization and preservation of his fatherʼs scores.

2. Difference in Musical Style

   • Christian Bach adopted a new style that marked the transition from Baroque to Classical, characterized by simpler and more melodic music, differing from his fatherʼs complex counterpoint. This stylistic difference may have been one reason he was not actively involved in organizing his fatherʼs music.

Role of Emanuel Bach and Other Brothers

• Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Wilhelm Friedemann Bach made significant contributions to the organization and preservation of their fatherʼs scores. Emanuel Bach, in particular, played a central role in editing and publishing Sebastian Bachʼs works.
• In contrast, Christian Bachʼs contributions were more indirect. For example, through his performance and composition activities, he enhanced the Bach familyʼs reputation and indirectly sparked interest in his fatherʼs works, but he did not directly engage in the organization or publication of scores.

Conclusion

Johann Christian Bach did not directly engage in the organization or preservation of his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs scores. His main activities were focused on composition and performance in London, and geographical distance and stylistic differences also contributed to his lack of direct involvement in preserving his fatherʼs works. However, his musical activities elevated the Bach familyʼs reputation and indirectly contributed to the preservation of Sebastian Bachʼs musical legacy.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "Did Christian Bach not hold as much respect for his father and his music as Emanuel did? If so, is it related to his father dying when he was young?"

There are several factors to consider regarding whether Johann Christian Bach (J.C. Bach) showed as much respect for his father Johann Sebastian Bachʼs music as Emanuel Bach (C.P.E. Bach) did. While Christian Bach did not engage as directly in organizing or preserving his fatherʼs works as Emanuel Bach did, there are several reasons for this.

Fatherʼs Death at a Young Age

1. Fatherʼs Death
   • Johann Christian Bach was born in 1735, and when his father Johann Sebastian Bach died in 1750, Christian was only 15 years old. Losing his father at a young age may have limited his opportunities for musical interaction and learning from his father, which could have affected his understanding and respect for his fatherʼs music compared to his other brothers.

Musical Style and Career

2. Difference in Musical Style

   • Christian Bach thrived during the Classical period and favored a more melodic and simple musical style. This differed from his fatherʼs Baroque music characterized by complex counterpoint. This stylistic difference may have been a factor that deterred him from directly inheriting his fatherʼs music.

3. Career in Italy and England

   • Christian Bach moved to Italy at a young age and later succeeded in London. His career was primarily developed in different regions of Europe, with a focus on activities in London. This geographical distance was another reason he did not directly engage in organizing or preserving his fatherʼs works.

Family Relationships and Influence

4. Family Relationships

   • Emanuel Bach was one of his fatherʼs most famous and successful sons and felt a strong responsibility to preserve his fatherʼs musical legacy. Emanuel paid deep respect to his fatherʼs music and spared no effort in preserving it.

5. Influence of Education

   • Emanuel Bach received direct education from his father and was strongly influenced by his music. In contrast, Christian Bach was raised mainly under the influence of his brother Emanuel and other family members after his fatherʼs death. The difference in educational environment may have influenced their attitudes toward their fatherʼs music.

Conclusion

Several factors, including the early death of his father, pursuit of a different musical style, and geographical distance, contributed to Johann Christian Bach not showing as much respect for his fatherʼs music as Emanuel Bach did. It is not that Christian Bach disregarded his fatherʼs music; rather, his career and musical interests differed, leading to less direct involvement in preserving his fatherʼs works. Nevertheless, Christian Bachʼs activities elevated the Bach familyʼs reputation and played a role in indirectly preserving his fatherʼs musical legacy.

I asked ChatGPT4o: "You mentioned that Christian Bachʼs different musical style was a reason for not showing respect, but Emanuel Bach also had a different style and still respected his father and published his scores."

Thank you for pointing that out. Indeed, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (Emanuel Bach) pursued a musical style different from his father Johann Sebastian Bach, yet he held deep respect for his fatherʼs music and dedicated himself to organizing and publishing his scores. Therefore, the difference in musical style alone cannot be said to be the reason Johann Christian Bach (Christian Bach) did not engage in organizing his fatherʼs scores. Here, I will elaborate on other possible reasons.

Johann Christian Bachʼs Situation and Motivation

1. Fatherʼs Death at a Young Age

   • Christian Bach lost his father at the age of 15, limiting the musical education and influence he received directly from his father. This may have resulted in a weaker understanding or emotional connection to his fatherʼs music compared to his other brothers.

2. Geographical Distance

   • After his fatherʼs death, Christian Bach moved to Italy and later succeeded in London. This geographical distance made it difficult for him to be directly involved in organizing and publishing his fatherʼs legacy. Additionally, his success in London strengthened his motivation to focus on his own career.

3. Individual Musical Career

   • Christian Bach was very successful in London and established his own musical style and career. His activities were primarily focused on his own composition and performance, which may have constrained the time and resources he could dedicate to organizing or publishing his fatherʼs works.

4. Role Distribution Among Siblings

   • Role distribution within the family may have also played a part. While Emanuel Bach was actively involved in organizing and preserving his fatherʼs works, Christian Bach may have chosen to take on a different role. Emanuel played a central role in preserving his fatherʼs musical legacy, while Christian contributed to spreading the Bach familyʼs reputation in other ways.

Conclusion

Johann Christian Bach did not show less respect for his fatherʼs music than Emanuel Bach. His actions were influenced by multiple factors, including his situation at a young age, geographical distance, his own musical career, and role distribution among siblings. While Christian Bach did not directly engage in activities to preserve his fatherʼs music, his success and activities helped spread the Bach familyʼs reputation and indirectly contributed to preserving his fatherʼs musical legacy.

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