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Homepage > ★C.P.E. Bachʼs Musical Works > C.P.E. Bachʼs Keyboard Solo Works > Character Pieces Wq. 117

This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).

C. P. E. Bach Character Pieces Wq. 117

ChatGPT4o writes as follows (please note that it may not be accurate):
Emanuel Bachʼs "Wq. 117" is a collection of pieces for keyboard instruments that encapsulates his musical diversity and the charm of the "Empfindsamer Stil" (sensitive style). This collection includes a variety of short compositions in forms such as minuets, polonaises, ariosos, and andantes, each possessing its own distinct character. Despite their concise structure, these pieces are characterized by rich emotional expression and unexpected harmonic progressions, making them enjoyable for both beginners and seasoned musicians. "Wq. 117" showcases Emanuel Bachʼs pursuit of new possibilities in music for keyboard instruments, offering an excellent opportunity to experience his originality. It is suitable for everyday performance and serves as an accessible repertoire for music enthusiasts.

[For more on "Character Pieces," see "Emanuel Bachʼs Character Pieces."]

According to the commentary by Darrell M. Berg on Miklós Spányi's CD (BIS-CD-1198) (translated by ChatGPT4o):
ʼBach composed his character pieces between 1754 and 1758, modeling them after the French "pièce de caractère." He categorized his works in this genre under the name "Petites Pièces" (Small Pieces). Many of these pieces are based on Bachʼs friends and acquaintances, following a method similar to what Couperin referred to as the "original" of character pieces. Continuing this French tradition, Bach prefixed all the titles of these works with the feminine article "la," even though most of the "originals" of these pieces were male (interpreted as referring to the French feminine noun "pièce").

In both Bachʼs catalog of keyboard works (which records all solo keyboard compositions from 1731 to 1772) and the musical estate catalog published by his widow in 1790, the seven character pieces included here are said to have been composed in Berlin in 1755. These pieces were likely compiled in a manuscript for Bachʼs personal use (now lost) and may have been composed in a single creative process.ʼ

According to the commentary by Darrell M. Berg on Miklós Spányi's CD (BIS-CD-1087) (translated by ChatGPT4o):
ʼThe direct model for the 26 character pieces composed by Emanuel Bach between 1754 and 1758 is the French pièce de caractère, particularly the harpsichord works of François Couperin (1668-1733) and Jean-François Dandrieu (1682-1738). However, the tradition of depicting specific individuals or general character traits dates back to Theophrastus of Eresus, around 372-287 BC, with his "Characters," a literary collection depicting general character traits. Theophrastusʼs work was translated in 1688 by Jean de La Bruyère, who added his own literary portraits of contemporary celebrities, described anonymously, to pique readersʼ curiosity. Inspired by La Bruyèreʼs "Characters," François Couperin anticipated portrait-like works for the harpsichord, musically defining this genre in the preface to his "First Book of Harpsichord Pieces" (1713). He modestly stated that the titles of his character pieces belonged to the "beloved originals" he had imitated.

Emanuel Bachʼs character pieces, composed 40 years later, possess a different musical texture and tonal style from those of the early French harpsichord composers. However, in their diversity and inventiveness, as well as in some of their titles, they pay homage to Couperin and Dandrieu.ʼ

List of Works

Clavier Pieces, Solfeggios, Fantasias

Character Pieces (Works Based on Names and Character Descriptions)

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< C.P.E. Bachʼs Keyboard Solo Works
< C.P.E. Bachʼs Collection of Character Pieces
> Character Piece Wq. 117-17 "La Borchward"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-18 "La Pott"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-19 ʼLa Gleimʼ
> Character Piece Wq. 117-20 "Bergius"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-21 "La Prinzette"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-22 "August"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-23 "Hermann"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-24 "Buchholtz"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-25 "Stahl"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-26 "La Böhmer"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-27 "LʼAly Rupalich"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-28 "La Complaisante"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-29 "Xenophon and Sybil"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-30 "Les Langueurs tendres"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-31 "LʼIrresoluë"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-32 "La Journalière"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-33 "La Capricieuse"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-34 "La Philippine"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-35 "Gabriel"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-36 "Louise"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-37 "La Gause"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-38 "La Ernestine"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-39 "La Caroline"
> Character Piece Wq. 117-40 "Sophie"
> Fantasia Wq. 117-11 in G Major
> Fantasia Wq. 117-12 in D minor
> Fantasia Wq. 117-13 in G minor
> Fantasia Wq. 117-14 in D Major
> Piano Piece for One Hand Wq. 117-1
> Solfeggio No. 3 Wq. 117-4 in A Major
> Solfeggio Wq. 117-2 in C minor
> Solfeggio Wq. 117-3 in E-flat Major
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Created: 2024-12-03 23:50   Edited: 2025-01-16