This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Emanuel Bachʼs Keyboard Concerto Wq. 16 (H. 419) is a work in G major composed around 1745, and it is one of the bright and approachable concertos from his Berlin period. This piece consists of three movements. In the first movement, a lively and elegant theme is introduced, with the keyboard instrument and orchestra engaging in a vibrant dialogue. Based on sonata form, the movement is energized by changes in tonality and rhythmic innovations. The second movement is a slow movement rich in the characteristics of the empfindsamer Stil, featuring a lyrical and emotionally expressive melody. The final movement is a lively and rhythmic movement based on rondo form, with particularly impressive virtuosic passages for the keyboard instrument. This concerto reflects Emanuel Bachʼs mature compositional technique and pioneering elements of classical music, captivating listeners with its bright tonality and technical brilliance. It is an engaging work that offers enjoyment and accessibility to both performers and audiences.
The earliest work, the Concerto in G Major (H. 419/Wq. 16), is believed to have been composed in 1745, but it may have been first composed during Bachʼs early years in Berlin. The fast outer movements of this concerto incorporate the elegant galant style that was very popular at the time, characterized by distinctive syncopations and a gentle, non-competitive relationship between the solo keyboard instrument and the accompanying strings. In contrast, the slow movement reaches a deeper level of expressiveness, with a poignant theme and frequent harmonic changes that often develop into darker minor keys.