We have a collection of 4 arrangements for Johann Sebastian Bach - Musical Offering, BWV 1079: Canone Inverso
What makes the Canone Inverso from Bach's Musical Offering mathematically unique? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Baroque Music
"Musikalisches Opfer," or "The Musical Offering," is a collection of compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach. Here are some interesting facts about it:
Origin: Bach composed "Musikalisches Opfer" in 1747 as a result of a meeting with King Frederick II of Prussia. The king played a theme for Bach and challenged him to improvise a fugue on it. Bach accepted the challenge and later expanded on the theme, creating a collection of canons and fugues.
Theme Source: The collection's theme, known as the "Royal Theme" or "King's Theme," was provided by King Frederick II himself. It is a highly intricate and chromatic theme, demonstrating the king's interest in music and challenging Bach to create complex compositions.
Structure: "Musikalisches Opfer" is divided into three parts: Ricercare, Canon Sonata, and Fugues. The Ricercare is a six-voice fugue, showcasing Bach's mastery of counterpoint. The Canon Sonata includes canons of various types, and the collection concludes with three fugues.
Inscribed to the King: The work is dedicated to King Frederick II, and the inscription is written in Latin: "Regis Iussu Cantio Et Reliqua Canonica Arte Resoluta" (The King's command: a musical offering, and other canons resolved with the help of the rules of counterpoint).
Cryptic Elements: Bach incorporated cryptic elements in the collection. For example, he included a canon that can be played either forward or backward, and another canon where the performer can choose the inversion.
Architectural Unity: Despite the diverse structures of canons and fugues, "Musikalisches Opfer" is characterized by its architectural unity. Bach carefully crafted the work, showcasing his exceptional skill in creating complex and interconnected compositions.
Instrumentation: The original collection is scored for flute, violin, and harpsichord, but it can also be adapted for other instruments. The flexibility in instrumentation adds to the richness of interpretations.
"Musikalisches Opfer" stands as a testament to Bach's compositional genius and ability to create intricate and intellectually engaging musical works.