Fantasie und Fuge F-Dur

Johann Ernst Bach (1722 – 1777) was a German composer of the Bach family. He was the son of Johann Bernhard Bach.

He studied in the Thomasschule in Leipzig with Johann Sebastian Bach (Johann Bernhard's second cousin). In 1742 he was hired as the official advocate in Eisenach.

From 1756, he was Court musician of Duke Ernst August of Saxe-Weimar.

His son Johann Georg Bach succeeded him as organist at the Church of St. George in Eisenach.

He wrote many vocal works and cantata’s for the church, also some secular cantata’s and keyboard works (mainly for the harpsichord and clavichord).

This beautiful Fantasia und Fuge in F-Dur demonstrates his art to the full.

The Fantasia is mysterious: with loud and fast parts alternating with slow and lingering moments.

The Fuge is a full-blown one in which he demonstrates that his uncle fully taught him the art of fugue-writing.

The fantasia und fuge was probably written for the harpsichord, clavichord or perhaps the early pianoforte, but it sound wonderful on the organ also.

Quite a majestic work...
Sadly only 13 instrumental pieces of Johann Ernst remained in total.