This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
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Emanuel Bachʼs "Wq. 182" is a collection of six symphonies (sinfonias) that stands out as a masterpiece highlighting his compositional techniques and musical innovations. This collection was composed in 1773 at the request of Count Carl Theodor and is characterized by its intricate ensemble structure and bold harmonic progressions. "Wq. 182" embodies his "Empfindsamer Stil" with its emotionally rich expression and serves as a precursor to classical music with its refined sense of form. Each symphony possesses its own unique character while maintaining a sense of unity, with the lively dialogue of the strings and the dynamic development of the movements being particularly noteworthy. This collection is regarded as an innovative attempt that transcends the boundaries between chamber music and symphonic music, symbolizing the evolution of music from the Baroque to the Classical period. This work, which inspires both performers and audiences, allows one to experience the pinnacle of Emanuel Bachʼs artistry.
The symphony collection Wq 182 by Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, unlike the symphonies composed for the general public in Berlin from 1741 to 1762, was composed in 1773 in Hamburg for music enthusiasts. This work consists of six pieces composed for a string orchestra with basso continuo, commissioned by Baron Gottfried van Swieten. Bach included this symphony collection at the end of the work list in his autobiography (1773), with the third symphony (in C Major) particularly developing the advanced style of his Berlin period. Bach emphasized moving the hearts of the audience through music, establishing a unique style that incorporated the passionate elements of the "Sturm und Drang" movement popular in Central Europe at the time. He stated in his autobiography, "Music is meant to move the heart, and mere technical performance cannot achieve that effect."
The symphonies of Wq 182 prominently feature characteristics unique to Bach. In particular, the energetic tutti (full ensemble), sudden emotional changes, extreme modulations, and abrupt cadences are typical of the Empfindsamer Stil he represents. The rough and unstable emotional movements and dramatic, intellectual, and sometimes eccentric musical expressions are important styles common to his keyboard music as well. Additionally, Bachʼs decision not to include the typical minuet and trio in his symphonies was influenced by the opinion of his contemporary composer Johann Adam Hiller. Hiller remarked, "A minuet in a symphony is like a beauty patch on a manʼs face. It gives the music a feminine impression and weakens the masculine impression created by three well-harmonized serious movements in succession."