The First Son of a Genius
Donald Macleod introduces the music of Bach's eldest - and most notoriously wayward - son, Wilhelm Friedemann.
Introducing the music of J.S. Bach's first - and most notoriously wayward - son.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (1710-1784) was the first son of arguably the greatest composer who ever lived, JS Bach. How could he ever live up to his father?
Indeed, in the decades after his death, Friedemann Bach gained a notorious reputation as the "black sheep Bach" - a man who had frittered away the vast talent and opportunities that had come his way. Remembered by contemporaries as a difficult, arrogant man, he ended his life in abject poverty, never enjoying the success, or critical acclaim of JS Bach's other sons, Carl Phillip Emmanuel and Johann Christian - both now regarded as great composers in their own right.
And yet...Friedemann Bach's surviving music is arguably more fascinating and original than any of the Bach sons. Though barely 100 works remain, they're full of raw expressive sweeps, strange, bittersweet lyricism and with a naked, mercurial quality that prefigures the tormented artist-creators of the Romantic Era.
This week, Donald Macleod allows us a rare glimpse at W.F. Bach's life and legacy, in conversation with the Bach scholar David Schulenberg - featuring a number of Friedemann Bach's concerti, flute duets, cantatas and compositions for solo keyboard. They unpick what makes "the black sheep" of the Bach family so intriguing - both musically and historically - and unpeel the layers of anecdote, misinformation and outright lies that have affected Friedemann Bach's reputation for nearly three centuries.
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Music Played
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Sonata in A Minor, Fk.8 - I. Poco Allegro
Performer: Christophe Rousset (harpsichord)
- HARMONIA MUNDI;HM901305.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Concerto for Keyboard, Strings and Continuo in E Minor, Fk.43- III. Allegro Assai
Performers:Michael Behringer (fortepiano), Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
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Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Prelude in C, BWV 924a
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
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Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Prelude in D, BWV 925
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
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Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Allemande, BWV 836
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Fantasia in D Minor, Fk.19
Performer: Friedhelm Flamme (organ)
- CPO:7775272.
- 1.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Keyboard Sonata no.1, Fk 3
Performer: Charlotte Mattax Moersch (harpsichord)
- CENTAUR:CRC 2351.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Duet for two Flutes no.1 in E Minor, Fk.54
Performers: Barthold Kuijken, Marc Hantai (flutes)
- ACCENT: ACCC9057D.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Sonata in A Minor, Fk.8 - I. Poco Allegro
Performer: Christophe Rousset (harpsichord)
- HARMONIA MUNDI;HM901305.
![]()
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Concerto for Keyboard, Strings and Continuo in E Minor, Fk.43- III. Allegro Assai
Performers:Michael Behringer (fortepiano), Freiburg Baroque Orchestra
![]()
Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Prelude in C, BWV 924a
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
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Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Prelude in D, BWV 925
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
![]()
Johann Sebastian Bach & Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Klavierbüchlein für W.F. Bach - Allemande, BWV 836
Performer: Wolfgang Rubsam (piano)
![]()
Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Fantasia in D Minor, Fk.19
Performer: Friedhelm Flamme (organ)
- CPO:7775272.
- 1.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Keyboard Sonata no.1, Fk 3
Performer: Charlotte Mattax Moersch (harpsichord)
- CENTAUR:CRC 2351.
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Wilhelm Friedemann Bach
Duet for two Flutes no.1 in E Minor, Fk.54
Performers: Barthold Kuijken, Marc Hantai (flutes)
- ACCENT: ACCC9057D.
Broadcasts
- Mon 18 Feb 201312:00BBC Radio 3
- Mon 18 Feb 201318:30BBC Radio 3
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