Bach dedicated these six concertos to the Margrave of Brandenburg in the hope of obtaining a post as a composer, which led to their posthumous nickname.
Composer Biography
Bach was likely inspired by the Dresden orchestra, which had first-rate soloists like violinist Pisendel and flautist Buffardin, and a variety of instruments with new sonorities.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach aimed for the greatest possible variety in his collection of concertos, with each concerto featuring a totally different instrumentation.
Interpretation
The ensemble Café Zimmermann adopts a chamber music approach, playing one instrument per part to foster a more flexible dialogue between voices.
Historical Context
The ensemble Café Zimmermann is named after a Leipzig coffee-house where Bach directed his orchestra, the Collegium Musicum, a place of cultural exchange and conviviality.
Composition History
The Brandenburg Concertos were not originally conceived as a unified whole by Bach, but were composed independently at different times.
