Bach's works for orchestra. Bach's most famous work

List of major works by Bach

A. Vocal works(accompanied by orchestra):

I. 198 church cantatas

II. 12 secular cantatas

III. 6 motets

IV. Christmas and Easter oratorios

V. Great Mass h-minor

VI. 4 small masses and 5 sancti VII. Magnificat D major

VIII. Passion according to Matthew and John

IX. Funeral ode

X. Church arias and songs

B. Works for orchestra and chamber music:

I. 4 overtures (suites) and 6 Brandenburg concertos

II. 7 concertos for clavier and orchestra

3 concertos for two claviers and orchestra

2 concertos for three claviers and orchestra

1 concert for four claviers and orchestra

III. 3 concertos for violin and orchestra

IV. 6 solo violin sonatas

8 sonatas for violin and clavier

6 sonatas for flute and clavier

6 solo sonatas (suites) for cello

3 sonatas for viola da gamba and clavier

3 sonatas for trio

V. Musical Sacrifice

B. Works for the clavier:

I. Partitas, French and English suites, inventions for two and three voices, symphonies, preludes, fugues, fantasies, overtures, toccatas, capriccios, sonatas, duets, Italian concerto, Chromatic fantasia and fugue

II. Well-tempered clavier

III. Goldberg Variations

IV. The Art of Fugue

G. Works for organ:

I. Preludes, fantasies, toccatas, fugues, canzones, sonatas, passacaglia, concertos on Vivaldi themes

II. Chorale preludes

III. Chorale Variations

From the book Bach author Morozov Sergey Alexandrovich

A BRIEF LIST OF WORKS BY J. S. BACH Vocal and instrumental works: about 300 sacred cantatas (199 preserved); 24 secular cantatas (including “Hunting”, “Coffee”, “Peasant”); motets, chorales; Christmas Oratorio; “Passion according to John”, “Passion according to

From the book Memories of Russia author Sabaneev Leonid L

From the book Notes of a Survivor author Golitsyn Sergey Mikhailovich

LIST OF MAIN LITERARY WORKS OF L. L. SABANEEV: Scriabin. M., 1916; 2nd ed.: M., 1923 Claude Debussy. M., 1922Music of speech. Aesthetic research. M., 1923Psychology of the musical creative process // Art. 1923. No. 1 Maurice Ravel. Characteristics of it creative activity And

From the book of Odysseus by Vasily Kuk author Vedeneev Dmitry Valerievich

List of basic books by S. M. Golitsyn 1. I want to be a topographer. Editions 1936, 1953 and 1954. Published also in Chinese and Czech.2. Forty prospectors. 1959 and 4 more editions, the last in 1989. Translated into Polish (3 editions), Czech, Bulgarian, Romanian, Slovak,

From the book A Sailor's Life author Lukhmanov Dmitry Afanasyevich

From the book by Antonin Dvorak author Gulinskaya Zoya Konstantinovna

Bibliography of the main works of D.A. Lukhmanova Sea stories. Petrovsk, type. A.M. Mikhailova, 1903. Guide to maritime practice. SPb., Imp. Shipping Society. 1908.On land and at sea (Poems). Mariupol, type. br. E. and A. Goldrin, 1911. About the voluntary fleet. Nagasaki, Ugai,

From the book of Scipio Africanus author Bobrovnikova Tatyana Andreevna

From Chopin's book author Ivashkevich Yaroslav

From the book Alexandre Dumas the Great. Book 2 author Zimmerman Daniel

LIST OF MAIN SOURCES AND ABBREVIATIONS All fragments of ancient Roman orators are given in the book: Oratorum romanonim fragmenta liberae rei publicae. Coll. E. Malcovatti. Sec. Ed., Torino, 1955 (in text by Malcovatti). All fragments of the Roman annalists are given from the book: Historicorum romanorum reliquae. Ed. H. Peter. Leipzig, 1870 (in the text by Peter). Fragments

From the book Radishchev author Zizhka Mikhail Vasilievich

From the book Liszt author Gaal Gyorgy Sandor

CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF WORKS A selection of 102 titles from the 606 listed by Dominique Frémy and Claude Schopp, or from the 646 analyzed by Reginald Hamel and Pierrette Mete, in highest degree controversial and dictated solely by subjective tastes. In its entirety

From the book TerpIliad. Life and work of Heinrich Terpilovsky author Gladyshev Vladimir Fedorovich

LIST OF A. N. RADISHCHEV’S WORKS Radishchev’s complete literary heritage amounts to three voluminous volumes. What has been published so far is far from complete. Below we list the works included in the two-volume collected works, and those not included, but

From the book Mosin - the creator of the Russian rifle author Ashurkov Vadim Nikolaevich

From the book Liszt author Gaal Gyorgy Sandor

Appendix List of the main works of the composer G. R. Terpilovsky Ballets1. Queen of the Fields (Wonder). Libr. K. Esaulova. 1961.2. Shot in the forest ( Forest fairy tale). Libr. V. Vorobyov and K. Esaulova. 1966.3. Shot (Forty-first). Libr. M. Gazieva. 1963.4. Ural. Libr. M. Gazieva.

From the author's book

List of main sources used in the work on the brochure Artillery Archives historical museum Academy of Artillery Sciences (Leningrad): op 46 d. 542; op. 48/1 d.d. 26, 29, 34, 37, 40, 53, 108. Central State Military Historical Archive (Moscow): f. 310 d.d. 764, 2863; f. 516

From the author's book

LIST OF MAIN WORKS BY FERENZ LIZZT For symphony orchestra: 12 symphonic poems: “What is Heard on the Mountain”, “Tasso”, “Preludes”, “Orpheus”, “Prometheus”, “Mazeppa”, “Festive Sounds”, “Lament for Heroes” , “Hungary”, “Hamlet”, “Battle of the Huns”, “Ideals” (completion of the entire cycle

German composer Johann Sebastian Bach created more than 1000 musical works during his life. He lived in the Baroque era and in his work summarized everything that was characteristic of the music of his time. Bach wrote in all genres available in the 18th century, with the exception of opera. Today the works of this master of polyphony and virtuoso organist are listened to in the most different situations- they are so diverse. In his music one can find simple-minded humor and deep sorrow, philosophical reflections and acute drama.

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685, he was the eighth and youngest child in the family. The great composer's father, Johann Ambrosius Bach, was also a musician: the Bach family has been known for its musicality since the beginning of the 16th century. At that time, music creators enjoyed special honor in Saxony and Thuringia, they were supported by the authorities, aristocrats and representatives of the church.

By the age of 10, Bach lost both his parents, and his older brother, who worked as an organist, took over his upbringing. Johann Sebastian studied at the gymnasium, and at the same time received from his brother the skills of playing the organ and clavier. At the age of 15, Bach entered vocal school and began to write his first works. After leaving school, he briefly served as a court musician for the Duke of Weimar, and then became an organist in a church in the city of Arnstadt. It was then that the composer wrote a large number of organ works.

Soon, Bach began to have problems with the authorities: he expressed dissatisfaction with the level of training of the singers in the choir, and then went to another city for several months in order to get acquainted with the playing of the authoritative Danish-German organist Dietrich Buxtehude. Bach went to Mühlhausen, where he was invited to the same position - organist in the church. In 1707, the composer married his cousin, who bore him seven children, three of them died in infancy, and two later became famous composers.

Bach worked in Mühlhausen for only a year and moved to Weimar, where he became court organist and concert organizer. By this time he already enjoyed great recognition and received a high salary. It was in Weimar that the composer's talent reached its peak - he spent about 10 years continuously composing works for clavier, organ and orchestra.

By 1717, Bach had achieved all possible heights in Weimar and began to look for another place of work. At first his old employer did not want to let him go, and even put him under arrest for a month. However, Bach soon left him and headed to the city of Köthen. If earlier his music was largely composed for religious services, here, due to the special requirements of the employer, the composer began to write mainly secular works.

In 1720, Bach's wife suddenly died, but a year and a half later he married the young singer again.

In 1723, Johann Sebastian Bach became cantor of the choir at the Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, and then was appointed “musical director” of all churches working in the city. Bach continued to write music until his death - even after losing his sight, he dictated it to his son-in-law. Died great composer in 1750, now his remains rest in the very Church of St. Thomas in Leipzig, where he worked for 27 years.

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 is a work for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach, one of his most popular works.

The work "Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565" is included in all editions of the authoritative BWV catalog and in the (most complete) new edition of Bach's works (Neue Bach-Ausgabe, known as NBA).

The work was supposedly written by Bach during his stay in Arnstadt between 1703 and 1707. In January 1703, after completing his studies, he received the position of court musician to the Weimar Duke Johann Ernst. It is not known exactly what his duties included, but most likely this position was not related to performing activities. During his seven months of service in Weimar, his fame as a performer spread. Bach was invited to the position of organ caretaker at the Church of St. Boniface in Arnstadt, located 180 km from Weimar. The Bach family had long-standing ties to this oldest German city.

In August, Bach took over as organist of the church. He had to work three days a week, and the salary was relatively high. In addition, the tool was supported in good condition and was configured according to new system, expanding the capabilities of the composer and performer. During this period, Bach created many organ works.

The peculiarity of this small polyphonic cycle is the continuity of development musical material(no break between toccata and fugue). The form consists of three parts: toccata, fugue and coda. The latter, echoing the toccata, forms a thematic arch.


Title page of BWV 565 in a handwritten copy by Johannes Ringk. Due to the fact that Bach's autograph was lost, this copy, as of 2012, is the only source close to the time of creation.

Toccata (in Italian toccata - touch, blow, from toccare - touch, touch) - virtuoso musical piece For keyboard instruments(clavier, organ).


Beginning of the toccata

Fugue (Italian fuga - running, flight, fast flow) is the most developed form of polyphonic music, which has absorbed all the richness of polyphonic means. The content range of a fugue is practically unlimited, but the intellectual element predominates or is always felt in it. Fugue is distinguished by emotional fullness and at the same time restraint of expression.

This work begins with an alarming but courageous strong-willed cry. It sounds three times, descending from one octave to another, and leads to a thunderous chordal boom in the lower register. Thus, at the beginning of the toccata, a gloomily shaded, grandiose sound space is outlined.


Johann Sebastian Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565 played by organist Hans-André Stamm on the Trost-Organ of the Stadtkirche in Waltershausen, Germany.

Then powerful “swirling” virtuosic passages are heard. The contrast between fast and slow movement is reminiscent of cautious respites between fights with the violent elements. And after the freely, improvisationally constructed toccata, a fugue sounds, in which the volitional principle seems to curb elemental forces. And the last bars of the entire work are perceived as a stern and majestic victory of the unyielding human will.

Johann Sebastian Bach, whose biography is still being carefully studied, is included, according to the New York Times, in the top 10 most interesting biographies of composers.

Along with his name are such surnames as Beethoven, Wagner, Schubert, Debussy and others.

Let us also get to know this great musician to understand why his work has become one of the pillars of classical music.

J. S. Bach - German composer and virtuoso

The name Bach is one of the first that comes to mind when listing great composers. Indeed, he was outstanding, as evidenced by more than 1,000 pieces of music that remained after his life.

But we shouldn’t forget about the second Bach – the musician. After all, both of them were true masters of their craft.

In both forms, Bach honed his skills throughout his life. The training did not end with the end of vocal school. It continued throughout my life.

Proof of professionalism, in addition to the surviving musical works, is the impressive career of the musician: from organist in the first position to director of music.

It is all the more surprising to realize that many contemporaries perceived the composer’s musical works negatively. At the same time, the names of musicians popular in those years have practically not survived to this day. Only later did Mozart and Beethoven speak enthusiastically about the composer’s work. From the beginning of the 19th century, the work of the virtuoso musician began to revive thanks to the propaganda of Liszt, Mendelssohn and Schumann.

Now no one doubts the skill and enormous talent of Johann Sebastian. Bach's music is an example classical school. Books are written and films are made about the composer. The details of life are still a subject for research and study.

Brief biography of Bach

The first mention of the Bach family appeared in the 16th century. There were many among them famous musicians. Therefore, little Johann’s choice of profession was expected. By the 18th century, when the composer lived and worked, they knew about 5 generations of the musical family.

Father and mother

Father - Johann Ambrosius Bach was born in 1645 in Erfurt. He had a twin brother, Johann Christoph. Along with most of the representatives of his family, Johann Ambrosius worked as a court musician and music teacher.

Mother - Maria Elisabeth Lemmerhirt was born in 1644. She was also from Erfurt. Maria was the daughter of a city councilor, a respected man in the city. The dowry he left for his daughter was substantial, thanks to which she could live comfortably in marriage.

The parents of the future musician got married in 1668. The couple had eight children.

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 31, 1685, becoming youngest child in family. They then lived in the picturesque city of Eisenach with a population of about 6,000 people. Johann's mother and father are Germans, so his son is also German by nationality.

When little Johann was 9 years old, Maria Elisabeth died. A year later, a few months after the second marriage, the father dies.

Childhood

The orphaned 10-year-old boy was taken in by his older brother, Johann Christoph. He worked as a music teacher and church organist.

Johann Christoph taught little Johann to play the clavier and organ. It is the latter that is considered the composer’s favorite instrument.

Little is known about this period of life. The boy studied at a city school, which he graduated at the age of 15, although its graduates were usually young people 2-3 years older. This means we can conclude that school was easy for the boy.

Another fact from the biography is often mentioned. At night, the boy often copied notes of works by other musicians. One day, the elder brother discovered this and strictly forbade him to do this in the future.

Music training

After graduating from school at the age of 15, the future composer entered the vocal school named after St. Michael, which was located in the city of Luneburg.

During these years, the biography of Bach, the composer, begins. During his studies from 1700 to 1703, he wrote the first organ music and gained knowledge about modern composers.

During the same period, he traveled for the first time to the cities of Germany. He will continue to have this passion for travel in the future. Moreover, all of them were done for the sake of getting acquainted with the work of other composers.

After graduating from vocal school, the young man could have entered the university, but the need to earn a living forced him to abandon this opportunity.

Service

After completing his studies, J. S. Bach received the position of musician at the court of Duke Ernst. He was only a performer, playing the violin. Their musical compositions I haven't started writing yet.

However, dissatisfied with the job, after a few months he decides to change it and becomes the organist of the Church of St. Boniface in Arndstadt. During these years, the composer created many works, mainly for organ. That is, for the first time in the service I had the opportunity to be not only a performer, but also a composer.

Bach received a high salary, but after 3 years he decided to move due to tense relations with the authorities. Problems arose due to the fact that the musician was absent for a long time due to a trip to Lubeck. According to available information, he was released to this German city for 1 month, and he returned only after 4. In addition, the community expressed complaints about his ability to lead the choir. All this together prompted the musician to change jobs.

In 1707, the musician moved to Mülhusen, where he continued to work. In the Church of St. Blaise he had a higher salary. Relations with the authorities were going well. The city authorities were satisfied with the activities of the new employee.

However, a year later Bach moved again to Weimar. In this city he received a more prestigious position as a concert organizer. 9 years spent in Weimar became fruitful period for a virtuoso, here he wrote dozens of works. For example, he composed “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” for organ.

Personal life

Before moving to Weimar, in 1707, Bach married his cousin Maria Barbara. In 13 years life together They had seven children, of whom three died in infancy.

After 13 years of marriage, his wife died, and the composer married again 17 months later. This time Anna Magdalena Wilke became his wife.

She was talented singer and subsequently sang in the choir, which was led by her husband. They had 13 children.

Two sons from his first marriage - Wilhelm Friedemann and Carl Philipp Emmanuel - became famous composers, continuing the musical dynasty.

Creative path

Since 1717 he has worked for the Duke of Anhalt-Köthen as a bandmaster. Over the next 6 years, numerous suites were written. The Bradenburg Concertos also belong to this period. If we generally evaluate the direction of the composer’s creative activity, it is worth noting that during this period he wrote mainly secular works.

In 1723, Bach became a cantor (that is, organist and choir conductor), as well as a teacher of music and Latin at the Church of St. Thomas. For this reason he moves to Leipzig again. In the same year, the work “St. John’s Passion” was performed for the first time, thanks to which he received a high position.

The composer wrote both secular and sacred music. He performed classical sacred works in a new way. The Coffee Cantata, the Mass in B minor and many other works were composed.

To briefly describe creativity musical virtuoso, then it is impossible to do without mentioning Bach's polyphony. This concept in music was known before him, but it was during the composer’s life that people began to talk about free-style polyphony.

In general, polyphony means polyphony. In music, two equal voices sound simultaneously, and not just melody and accompaniment. The musician’s skill is evidenced by the fact that his works are still used by student musicians to study.

Last years of life and death

During the last 5 years of his life, the virtuoso rapidly lost his sight. To continue composing, he had to dictate music.

There were also problems with public opinion. Contemporaries did not appreciate Bach's music and considered it outdated. This was due to the flourishing of classicism that began during that period.

In 1747, three years before his death, the cycle “Music of the Offering” was created. It was written after the composer visited the court of Frederick II, King of Prussia. This music was intended for him.

The last work of the outstanding musician, “The Art of Fugue,” consisted of 14 fugues and 4 canons. But he didn’t have time to finish it. His sons did this for him after his death.

Some interesting moments from the life and work of the composer, musician and virtuoso:

  1. After studying the family history, 56 musicians were found among the virtuoso’s relatives.
  2. The musician’s surname is translated from German as “stream”.
  3. Having heard a piece once, the composer could repeat it without error, which he did repeatedly.
  4. Throughout his life, the musician moved eight times.
  5. Thanks to Bach, women were allowed to sing in church choirs. His second wife became the first chorus member.
  6. He wrote more than 1000 works throughout his life, so he is rightfully considered the most “prolific” author.
  7. IN last years During his life, the composer was almost blind, and eye surgeries did not help.
  8. Composer's grave for a long time was left without a tombstone.
  9. Until now, not all biographical facts are known, some of them are not confirmed by documents. Therefore, the study of his life continues.
  10. In the musician’s homeland, two museums dedicated to him were opened. In 1907, a museum was opened in Eisenach, and in 1985 in Leipzig. By the way, the first museum houses a lifetime portrait of the musician, made in pastel, about which long years nothing was known.

The most famous musical works of Bach

All works by him were combined into a single list - the BWV catalogue. Each essay is assigned a number from 1 to 1127.

The catalog is convenient in that all works are divided by type of work, and not by year of writing.

To count how many suites Bach wrote, just look at their numbering in the catalogue. For example, the French suites are assigned numbers from 812 to 817. This means that a total of 6 suites were written within this cycle. In total, you can count 21 suites and 15 parts of suites.

The most recognizable piece is the Scherzo in B minor from Suite for Flute and String Orchestra No. 2, called “The Joke.” This melody was often used to call mobile devices, but despite this, unfortunately, not everyone will be able to name its author.

Indeed, the names of many of Bach’s works are not well-known, but their melodies will seem familiar to many. For example, “Brandenburg Concertos”, “Goldberg Variations”, “Toccata and Fugue in D minor”.

From the 19th century to the present day, interest in the works of Johann Sebastian Bach has not subsided. The creativity of an unsurpassed genius amazes with its scale. known all over the world. His name is known not only to professionals and music lovers, but also to listeners who do not show much interest in “serious” art. On the one hand, Bach's work is a certain result. The composer relied on the experience of his predecessors. He knew perfectly well the choral polyphony of the Renaissance, German organ music, and the peculiarities of the Italian violin style. He carefully studied new material, developed and generalized his accumulated experience. On the other hand, Bach was consummate innovator, who managed to open up new prospects for the development of world musical culture. The work of Johann Bach had a strong influence on his followers: Brahms, Beethoven, Wagner, Glinka, Taneyev, Honegger, Shostakovich and many other great composers.

Bach's creative heritage

He created over 1000 works. The genres he addressed were very diverse. Moreover, there are works whose scale was exceptional for that time. Bach's work can be divided into four main genre groups:

  • Organ music.
  • Vocal-instrumental.
  • Music for various instruments (violin, flute, clavier and others).
  • Music for instrumental ensembles.

The works of each of the above groups belong to certain period. The most outstanding organ compositions were composed in Weimar. The Keten period marks the appearance huge amount keyboard and orchestral works. Most of the vocal and instrumental songs were written in Leipzig.

Johann Sebastian Bach. Biography and creativity

The future composer was born in 1685 in small town Eisenach, in musical family. For the whole family it was a traditional profession. Johann's first music teacher was his father. The boy had an excellent voice and sang in the choir. At the age of 9 he became an orphan. After the death of his parents, he was raised by Johann Christoph (elder brother). At the age of 15, the boy graduated from the Ohrdruf Lyceum with honors and moved to Lüneburg, where he began singing in the choir of the “chosen ones”. By the age of 17, he had learned to play the different instruments: viola, harpsichord, organ, violin. Since 1703 he has lived in different cities: Arnstadt, Weimar, Mühlhausen. Bach's life and work during this period were full of certain difficulties. He constantly changes his place of residence, which is due to his reluctance to feel dependent on certain employers. He served as a musician (as an organist or violinist). Working conditions also constantly dissatisfied him. At this time, his first compositions for clavier and organ, as well as spiritual cantatas, appeared.

Weimar period

In 1708, Bach began serving as court organist for the Duke of Weimar. At the same time, he works in the chapel as a chamber musician. Bach's life and work during this period were very fruitful. These are the years of first composer maturity. The best ones have appeared organ works. This:

  • Prelude and fugue c-moll, a-moll.
  • Toccata C major.
  • Passacaglia c-moll.
  • Toccata and fugue in d minor.
  • "Organ book".

At the same time, Johann Sebastian is working on works in the cantata genre, on transcriptions of Italian violin concertos for the clavier. For the first time he turns to the genre of solo violin suite and sonata.

Keten period

Since 1717, the musician settled in Köthen. Here he occupies a high-ranking management position chamber music. He is, in fact, the manager of the entire musical life at court. But he is not happy with the town being too small. Bach is keen to move to a larger and more promising city to give his children the opportunity to go to university and get a good education. There was no quality organ in Köten, and there was also no choir chapel. Therefore, Bach’s keyboard creativity develops here. The composer also pays a lot of attention to ensemble music. Works written in Köthen:

  • Volume 1 "HTK".
  • English Suites.
  • Sonatas for solo violin.
  • "Brandenburg Concertos" (six pieces).

Leipzig period and last years of life

Since 1723, the maestro has lived in Leipzig, where he leads the choir (holds the position of cantor) at the school at the Church of St. Thomas in Thomaschul. Accepts Active participation in a public circle of music lovers. The city's "collegium" constantly organized secular music concerts. What masterpieces were added to Bach’s work at that time? It is worth briefly indicating the main works of the Leipzig period, which can rightfully be considered the best. This:

  • "St. John's Passion".
  • Mass h-minor.
  • "Matthew Passion"
  • About 300 cantatas.
  • "Christmas Oratorio".

In the last years of his life, the composer focuses on musical compositions. Writes:

  • Volume 2 "HTK".
  • Italian concert.
  • Partitas.
  • "The Art of Fugue".
  • Aria with various variations.
  • Organ Mass.
  • "Musical Offering"

After an unsuccessful operation, Bach went blind, but did not stop composing music until his death.

Style characteristics

Bach's creative style was formed on the basis of various music schools and genres. Johann Sebastian organically wove the best harmonies into his works. In order to understand the musical language of the Italians, he rewrote their works. His creations were full of texts, rhythms and forms of French and Italian music, North German contrapuntal style, as well as Lutheran liturgy. The synthesis of various styles and genres was harmoniously combined with the deep poignancy of human experiences. His musical thought stood out for its special uniqueness, universality and a certain cosmic quality. Bach's work belongs to a style that is firmly established in musical art. This is the classicism of the high baroque era. Bach's musical style is characterized by mastery of an extraordinary melodic structure, where the main idea dominates the music. Thanks to the mastery of counterpoint techniques, several melodies can interact simultaneously. was a true master of polyphony. He had a penchant for improvisation and brilliant virtuosity.

Main genres

Bach's work includes various traditional genres. This:

  • Cantatas and oratorios.
  • Passions and Masses.
  • Preludes and Fugues.
  • Chorale arrangements.
  • Dance suites and concerts.

Of course, he borrowed the listed genres from his predecessors. However, he gave them the broadest scope. The maestro skillfully updated them with new musical and expressive means and enriched them with features of other genres. The clearest example is "Chromatic Fantasia in D Minor". The work was created for the clavier, but contains dramatic recitation of theatrical origins and the expressive properties of large organ improvisations. It is easy to notice that Bach’s work “bypassed” opera, which, by the way, was one of the leading genres of its time. However, it is worth noting that many of the composer’s secular cantatas are difficult to distinguish from comedic interludes (at this time in Italy they were degenerating into opera buffa). Some of Bach's cantatas, created in the spirit of witty genre scenes, anticipated the German Singspiel.

The ideological content and range of images of Johann Sebastian Bach

The composer's work is rich in its figurative content. From the pen of a true master come both extremely simple and extremely majestic creations. Bach's art contains both simple-minded humor and deep sorrow, and philosophical reflection, and extreme drama. The genius Johann Sebastian reflected such significant parties of his era, as religious and philosophical problems. With the help of the amazing world of sounds, he reflects on the eternal and very important questions of human life:

  • About the moral duty of man.
  • About his role in this world and purpose.
  • About life and death.

These reflections are directly related to religious topics. And this is not surprising. The composer served in the church almost all his life, therefore most I wrote music for her. At the same time, he was a believer, he knew Holy Bible. His reference book there was a Bible written in two languages ​​(Latin and German). He kept fasts, confessed, observed church holidays. A few days before his death he took communion. The composer's main character is Jesus Christ. In that perfect image Bach saw the embodiment best qualities inherent in man: purity of thoughts, fortitude, fidelity to the chosen path. The sacrificial feat of Jesus Christ for the salvation of humanity was the most sacred for Bach. This theme was the most important in the composer’s work.

Symbolism of Bach's works

In the Baroque era, musical symbolism appeared. It is through her that the complex and amazing world composer. Bach's music was perceived by his contemporaries as transparent and understandable speech. This happened due to the presence in it of stable melodic turns expressing certain emotions and ideas. Such sound formulas are called musical-rhetorical figures. Some conveyed affect, others imitated the intonations of human speech, others wore figurative character. Here are some of them:

  • anabasis - ascent;
  • circulatio - rotation;
  • catabasis - descent;
  • exclamatio - exclamation, ascending sixth;
  • fuga - running;
  • passus duriusculus - a chromatic move used to express suffering or sorrow;
  • suspiratio - sigh;
  • tirata - arrow.

Gradually, musical and rhetorical figures become a kind of “signs” of certain concepts and feelings. For example, the descending figure catabasis was often used to convey sadness, melancholy, mourning, death, and the position in the coffin. A gradual upward movement (anabasis) was used to express ascension, high spirits and other moments. Symbolic motifs are observed in all the composer’s works. Bach's work was dominated by Protestant chorale, to which the maestro turned throughout his life. He also has symbolic meaning. Work with the chorale was carried out in the most various genres- cantatas, passions, preludes. Therefore, it is quite logical that the Protestant chorale is an integral part of Bach’s musical language. Among the important symbols found in the music of this artist, we should note stable combinations of sounds that have constant meanings. The symbol of the cross predominated in Bach's work. It consists of four multi-directional notes. It is noteworthy that if you decipher the composer’s surname (BACH) with notes, you will get the same graphic drawing. B - B flat, A - A, C - C, H - B. Great contribution to development musical symbols Bach was contributed by such researchers as F. Busoni, A. Schweitzer, M. Yudina, B. Yavorsky and others.

"Second birth"

During his lifetime, the work of Sebastian Bach was not appreciated. Contemporaries knew him more as an organist than a composer. Not a single serious book has been written about him. Of the huge number of his works, only a few were published. After his death, the composer's name was soon forgotten, and the surviving manuscripts gathered dust in the archives. We might never have known anything about it. genius man. But, fortunately, this did not happen. True interest in Bach arose in the 19th century. One day F. Mendelssohn discovered the notes of the St. Matthew Passion in the library, which interested him very much. Under his direction, this work was successfully performed in Leipzig. Many listeners were delighted with the music of the still little-known author. We can say that this was the second birth of Johann Sebastian Bach. In 1850 (on the 100th anniversary of the composer's death), the Bach Society was created in Leipzig. The purpose of this organization was to publish all found manuscripts of Bach in the form full meeting essays. As a result, 46 volumes were collected.

Bach's organ works. Summary

The composer created excellent works for the organ. This instrument is a real force of nature for Bach. Here he was able to liberate his thoughts, feelings and emotions and convey all this to the listener. Hence the enlargement of lines, concertity, virtuosity, and dramatic images. The compositions created for the organ resemble frescoes in painting. Everything in them is presented predominantly close-up. In preludes, toccatas and fantasies, the pathos of musical images in free, improvisational forms is observed. Fugues are characterized by special virtuosity and unusually powerful development. Organ creativity Bach conveys the high poetry of his lyrics and the grandiose scope of his magnificent improvisations.

Unlike clavier works, organ fugues are much larger in volume and content. Movement musical image and its development proceeds with increasing activity. The unfolding of the material is presented in the form of layering of large layers of music, but there is no particular discreteness or breaks. On the contrary, continuity (continuity of movement) prevails. Each phrase follows from the previous one with increasing tension. Also built climaxes. The emotional upsurge eventually intensifies to highest point. Bach is the first composer to demonstrate the patterns of symphonic development in large forms of instrumental polyphonic music. Bach's organ work seems to split into two poles. The first is preludes, toccatas, fugues, fantasies (large musical cycles). The second is one-part. They are written mainly in chamber style. They reveal predominantly lyrical images: intimate, mournful and sublimely contemplative. Best works for organ by Johann Sebastian Bach - and fugue in D minor, prelude and fugue in A minor and many other works.

Works for clavier

When writing compositions, Bach relied on the experience of his predecessors. However, here too he proved himself to be an innovator. Bach's keyboard creativity is characterized by scale, exceptional versatility, search expressive means. He was the first composer to appreciate the versatility of this instrument. When composing his works, he was not afraid to experiment and implement the most daring ideas and projects. When writing, I was guided by the entire world musical culture. Thanks to him, the clavier expanded significantly. He enriches the instrument with new virtuoso techniques and changes the essence of musical images.

Among his works for organ, the following stand out:

  • Two-voice and three-voice inventions.
  • "English" and "French" suites.
  • "Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue".
  • "The Well-Tempered Clavier."

Thus, Bach's work is striking in its scope. The composer is widely known throughout the world. His works make you think and reflect. Listening to his compositions, you involuntarily become immersed in them, thinking about deep meaning underlying them. The genres that the maestro addressed throughout his life were very diverse. This organ music, vocal-instrumental, music for various instruments (violin, flute, clavier and others) and for instrumental ensembles.