Movements from Partita by Johann Christoph Graupner

These are the second and third movements from a Partita by Johann Christoph Graupner (1683-1760), Kapellmeister at the Darmstadt court. Although attributed to Bach in manuscript sources from the first half of the 19th century, the true composer is now known.

Both movements are extremely straightforward pieces, yet rich in subtle variations.

Allemande

In the Allemande, a continuous succession of sixteenth-note motifs serves as a modulating device. In the first half, a long phrase appears twice, modulating to the dominant key on its second appearance. The second half combines long and short phrases, passing through related minor keys: F-sharp minor, C-sharp minor, and B minor. The disorienting effect caused by the repetition of motifs is skillfully employed.

Courante

The Courante features a skillful interplay of rhythms between the left and right hands, maintaining a regular triple meter without becoming monotonous. A certain tension arises in the latter half of measure 7, where the triple meter is interrupted just once.

While not difficult to perform, these are well-structured works.