JOHANN CHRISTIAN BACH 1735 - 1782

Sinfonia in G minor  Opus 6 No. 6

1. Allegro

2. Andante

3. Allegro molto

The youngest surviving son of Johann Sebastian Bach, John Christian (born Johann, he adopted the English form of his name in maturity) represents a unique and fascinating link between the baroque and classical worlds. His early training was with his father, but his own musical preferences led him first to Italy, and then to England, where he accepted an invitation to become composer to the King's Theatre in London, and then music master to Queen Sophie-Charlotte.

Bach very soon became established as the leading figure of the day in London's musical world; Gainsborough painted his portrait, and the French philosopher Didert was a close acquaintance. Bach became Mozart's friend and mentor, having first met the child prodigy when he visited London with his father Leopold in 1764.

Although he died deeply in debt and until recently his music has been largely ignored, during his lifetime he was without doubt the most successful of all the musical Bachs. On hearing the news of his death, Mozart wrote to his father: "Have you heard that the English Bach has died? What a loss to the world of music!"

The six short Sinfonias, Opus 6, date from Bach's first years in London in the early 1760s, and are scored for two oboes, two horns and strings, with a bassoon providing the traditional accompaniment of the bass line. All are in three movements, but only number six is written in a minor key. The dark yet serene andante comes between the two stormy and dramatic outer movements, in which the harsh dissonances and strong dynamic contrasts call to mind the Sturm und Drang Symphonies of early Haydn.

Raymond Leppard believes that this work is one of the first great compositions in the key of G minor. Mozart, who doubtless knew the symphony well, would almost certainly have agreed, since the parallels with his own youthful masterpiece in the same key, the "Little" G minor Symphony K 183, are readily apparent.