Did Bach Play the Piano?

Hello, I’m Robert Estrin from LivingPianos.com,Your Online Piano Store. Today, let’s explore an intriguing question: Did Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the greatest composers in history, play the piano?

Bach and the Piano: Historical Context

Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685. At that time, the modern piano as we know it did not yet exist. Bach lived in Germany and traveled very little, so he was unlikely to have encountered a piano during his lifetime. Bach didn’t compose any music specifically for the piano. His keyboard compositions were written for clavier (which means, “keyboard”), with the exception of his organ music, which was written for the pipe organ—a fully developed instrument of his era. Bach’s favorite keyboard instrument was the clavichord, known for its expressive capabilities, though it was not suited for public performances due to its quiet sound. Consequently, the harpsichord was the more popular instrument of the time for public concerts, including performances of works like the Brandenburg Concertos and his two-part inventions, as well as countless other works.

Early Pianos and Bach’s Impressions

The fortepiano, an early version of the modern piano, was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Italy. This instrument could play both loud and soft, unlike the harpsichord. At the time Bach encountered a fortepiano built by Gottfried Silbermann, the instrument was still in its early stages of development. Bach had mixed feelings about this early fortepiano, particularly criticizing its upper register. He recognized its potential, but he was not particularly impressed by its sound.

Bach’s Legacy with the Piano

Had Bach experienced a modern piano or even a later model from the 19th century, he would have been thrilled with its expressive capabilities and tonal richness. Despite his limited exposure to the early fortepianos, Bach’s keyboard music continues to be a cornerstone of piano repertoire. His compositions, such as the Italian Concerto, the Two-Part Inventions, the Well Tempered Clavier, the French and English Suites, and the Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue, are played frequently on the piano today. So while Bach did not play the modern piano, he would have undoubtedly appreciated its capabilities if he had. And his music remains a fundamental part of the piano repertoire, demonstrating the timeless appeal and adaptability of his compositions. Thanks again for joining me, Robert Estrin, here at LivingPianos.com, Your Online Piano Store.