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Bach, C.P.E.

Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach
Dates
1714–1788
Era
Baroque (1600–1750)
Recognition
essential
Wikipedia

Where to start with Bach, C.P.E.

Essential works to know this composer by — spread across their styles
  1. Keyboard
    3 Solfeggios, Wq.117, nos. 2-4
  2. Orchestral
    6 Concertos, Wq.43
  3. Vocal
    Magnificat for 4 voices, chorus, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 3 trumpets, 2 horns, strings and continuo in D major, H.772, Wq.215
  4. Chamber
    2 Minuets, for 2 flutes, 2 horns, 2 violin and continuo, Wq.189, no. 1-2
  5. Orchestral
    Cello Concerto in A minor, Wq.170, H.432
  6. Orchestral
    Symphony in D major, Wq.183, no. 1
  7. Orchestral
    Symphony in E minor, for 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 horns, strings and continuo, Wq.178
  8. Orchestral
    Symphony in F major, Wq.183, no. 3
  9. Keyboard
    12 Variationes über die Folie d'Espagne, for keyboard in D minor, H.263, Wq.118, no. 9
  10. Keyboard
    12 Variations on La folia d'Espagne, H.263, Wq.118, no. 9
  11. Keyboard
    18 Probestücke, Wq.63, no. 1-12
  12. Keyboard
    2 Marches and Polonoises, H.1
  13. Chamber
    2 Polonaise, for 2 violins and continuo in D major, Wq.190 no. 1 and 3
  14. Vocal
    20 Oden mit Melodien, for voice and keyboard, Wq.199
  15. Vocal
    21 Neue Lieder-Melodien nebst einer Cantate, H.700–08, 734–5, 740–41, 747–8, 755–60

Listening guide

Hand-curated paths into Bach, C.P.E.'s catalogue
  1. Prussian Sonatas Wq. 48
  2. Hamburger Sinfonias Wq. 182
  3. Oboe Concerto in D minor Wq. 165
  4. Cello Concerto in A major Wq. 172
  5. Flute Concerto in D minor

Most Acclaimed

  1. Württemberg Sonatas Wq. 49
  2. Symphonies Wq. 182 (complete)
  3. Cello Concerto in A major Wq. 172
  4. Rondos for Keyboard Wq. 56
  5. String Sinfonias Wq. 183

Most Weird

  1. Fantasia in F-sharp minor Wq. 67
    free-form improvisation written down — the most extraordinary keyboard piece of the 18th century
  2. Fantasia in C major Wq. 59/6
  3. Sonata in G minor Wq. 65/17
  4. Rondo in C minor Wq. 59/4
  5. Empfindungen (Feelings) H. 536
    slow fantasia — proto-Romantic emotional extremism

Similar composers

Same era, overlapping styles — by genre & period affinity

Works 404