Bach Symphony in E minor

Date

1759

Instrumentation

Strings, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 horns

Overview

Uses a lot of the Empfindsamer stil (sensitive style)

Overall Form

The mvts run one into the next - unusual for early symphonists. At the end of first mvt, having arrived back at the opening E minor, he finishes by cutting again to quiet material that moves to the dominant of G major as a preparation for an attacca where the next bits of music follows without a pause to the start of the 2nd mvt1

1st mvt

Sonata. More old fashioned Ritornello form (baroque equivalent of a rondo). Opening unison passage comes back in various keys throughout the mvt

Harmony and tonality

Full of surprises with diminshed 7th chords suddenly interrupting the harmonic flow. Rapid changes to unexpected keys.

Drama/programme

Not narrative in a literal sense however characterised by sudden changes of harmony, texture and dynamics. Energetic semi-quavers and chromatic harmony adds to sense of dramatic emotional volatility