DESCRIPTION:
J. S. Bach
Capriccio sopra la lontananza del suo fratello dilettissimo
BWV 992
harpsichord by Mirko Weiss
Recorded in 2002
Another early work by Bach existing only in faulty copies, the idea of a Capriccio in the form of a series of descriptive tableaux was undoubtedly derived from Kuhnau's Biblical Sonatas of 1700. Bach, however, takes a contemporary event as his subject: most likely the departure of his brother Johann Jacob for Sweden in 1704. The little drama unfolds in six short movements, alternating German and Italian:
1. "Arioso" Adagio: His friends plead with him to renounce his departure
2. They describe the perils he may encounter in foreign parts
3. Adagiosissimo: A general lament by his friends
4.Seeing that his departure is inevitable, the friends gather round to say farewell
5. Allegro poco "Aria del postiglione"
6. Fuga all'imitazione di posta (Fugue in imitation of the post-horn)