This work probably dates to Bach's years in Arnstadt,
where he served as organist at the Neue Kirche from
1703 to 1707. During this time, and throughout the
Weimar period that followed (1708 - 1717), Bach wrote a
substantial number of organ works, most of which
divulged his routine, if still evolving mastery of
keyboard writing. This work, often listed as Fantasia
con imitatione in B minor, is a relatively light piece,
but brims with ideas and has a deft sense for color. It
opens with a stately,...(+)
This work probably dates to Bach's years in Arnstadt,
where he served as organist at the Neue Kirche from
1703 to 1707. During this time, and throughout the
Weimar period that followed (1708 - 1717), Bach wrote a
substantial number of organ works, most of which
divulged his routine, if still evolving mastery of
keyboard writing. This work, often listed as Fantasia
con imitatione in B minor, is a relatively light piece,
but brims with ideas and has a deft sense for color. It
opens with a stately, moderately paced theme in the
soprano range, underpinned by imaginative contrapuntal
accompaniment in the upper middle ranges that at times
comes to the fore, only to yield back the main line to
the right hand. Near the middle of the work, the flow
of the music is disrupted, as the music seems to
grapple for a continuation, eventually settling on a
lively, bright theme with which to close out the work.
Bach's contrapuntal writing throughout exhibits his
usual subtlety, though in the end, the work is perhaps
only a minor masterpiece. Typically, this piece lasts
four minutes.
The work is listed as spurious. The true composer may
not be known.
PARTITION