Bach's Fantasia in C major for organ, BWV 570 is an
early work, probably composed sometime during the
composer's tenure as organist in the city of Arnstadt
(1703 - 1706) or perhaps during his one year at
Mühlhausen (1707). It is one of the few of Bach organ
fantasias/organ preludes that do not belong to larger,
two-part prelude-fugue or fantasia-fugue combinations;
it was only with his move to Weimar, in 1708, that Bach
really began to fancy such compound prelude-fugue
works, though he did comp...(+)
Bach's Fantasia in C major for organ, BWV 570 is an
early work, probably composed sometime during the
composer's tenure as organist in the city of Arnstadt
(1703 - 1706) or perhaps during his one year at
Mühlhausen (1707). It is one of the few of Bach organ
fantasias/organ preludes that do not belong to larger,
two-part prelude-fugue or fantasia-fugue combinations;
it was only with his move to Weimar, in 1708, that Bach
really began to fancy such compound prelude-fugue
works, though he did compose a few famous examples of
them before the Weimar days (including the Toccata and
Fugue in D minor, BWV 565).
BWV 570 is written in four voices to be played on two
manuals without pedals. Because of this it can be (and
has been) played on other keyboard instruments -- but
not, it must be pointed out, to good effect, since a
great deal of the piece is built around sustained tones
that die all too quickly on the harpsichord or piano.
Both the careful harmonic plan and the general trend of
rhythmic motion -- spacious opening rhythms gradually
growing more dense and active as the note values grow
smaller and the motivic imitation accelerates --
presage stylistic hallmarks of Bach's mature keyboard
works.
Although originally composed for Organ, I created this
modern interpretation of the Fantasia in C Major (BWV
570) for Double-Reed Quartet (2 Oboes, English Horn &
Bassoon).
PARTITION