Friday, January 5, 2018

New publication: Part 3 of Form Functions in Mozart Menuets

I have just published a new essay on Texas Scholar Works: Formal Functions in Menuets by Mozart, Part 3: A Comparison with Johann Christian Bach. Link.

Here is the abstract:
This essay charts formal functions (after Caplin) in named menuets by Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) and compares them with menuets by Mozart. Bach is notable for exploiting the “galant theme,” presumably because of its ability to emphasize melody and to maximize contrast, in accordance with aesthetic ideals of the galant style.
The repertoire includes, in chronological order, WC 49-54: Concertos, op. 1 (1763); WB 43-48: Trios (keyboard), op. 2 (1763 or earlier); WA 1-6: 6 Sonatas, op. 5 (1765); WB 2-7: Sonatas with violin, op. 10 ; WC 1-6: 6 Symphonies, op. 3 (1765); WC 55-60: Concertos, op. 7 (1770); WB 51-56: String quartets (1770); WB 57: Flute quartets (year?); WB 70-75: 6 Quintets, op. 11 (1772); WC 17b-18b: 3 Symphonies, op. 9 (1773); WZ_6 Trios (Bach, Abel, and Kammel) (1775-76); WC 62-67: Concertos, op. 13 (1777);WA 21: Sonata 2 pianos (1778); WB 10-15 Sonatas (c. 1780); WB 30-35: Trios (1780); WA 7-12: 6 Sonatas, op. 17 (c. 1780); WA 16-20: Sonatas, op. 18 (year?).