'Concerto in the Italian style' by Johann Sebastian Bach : an analysis

Abstract

The Concerto in the Italian Style was originally composed to be played on the harpsichord and thus, presents a challenge to the modern performer who has to interpret this Concerto on the pianoforte. The first section of this dissertation starts with a brief description of the keyboard works written by Johann Sebastian Bach. These works show an interplay of influences of Italian and French musical styles. These are evident in the Italian Concerto. A thorough description of the instruments prevailing in the Baroque period, including the clavichord, the harpsichord, the fortepiano and the early modern piano, is dealt with in the second section. All these instruments have their particular strengths, weaknesses, tones and timbres. However, only the pianoforte prevailed to the modern era. This study serves as a preparation to Chapters 1, 2 and 3 which analyses the first, second and third movements of the Italian Concerto. These movements which were intended to be played on the harpsichord have to be interpreted with the same skill and dexterity on the pianoforte. These difficulties are dealt with in the conclusion of this dissertation.