Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18, No. 2: Sinfonia in B-flat Cover Image

Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18, No. 2: Sinfonia in B-flat: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)

$20.00 USD

Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18, No. 2: Sinfonia in B-flat: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)

Name: Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18, No. 2: Sinfonia in B-flat: Full Orchestra, Ensemble Works, Conductor Score (EDWIN F KALMUS)
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 36-A556701
Price: 20.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Johann Christian (J.C.) Bach, ed./arr. by Friedrich Wilhelm (Fritz) Stein

Item: 36-A556701

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Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782), the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and widely known as the "London Bach," composed his Sinfonia in B-flat major, No. 2 around 1775 as part of his Six Grand Overtures, Op. 18. Published in London, these works reflect the elegant galant style for which J.C. Bach became famous and which profoundly influenced the young Mozart during his visits to England. Although titled "overtures," the set functions essentially as symphonies. The Sinfonia in B-flat also served as the overture to Bach's opera Lucio Silla, W. G9, demonstrating the close relationship in the eighteenth century between operatic overtures and independent concert symphonies. Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set). Reprinted edition edited by Friedrich Wilhelm "Fritz" Stein.

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Series: Kalmus Orchestra Library

ISBN10: 8-904201-23-3

ISBN13: 979-8-904201-23-4

UPC: 604634060692

SKU: 36-A556701

Instrumentation: 2.2.2.2: 2.0.0.0: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in set)

More about this title

About the Composer: Johann Christian Bach

Johann Christian Bach (1735-1782) was the youngest of J.S. Bach's sons and carved out a distinct musical identity far from his father's shadow. Based in London for most of his career, he became a central figure in shaping the galant style that defined mid-eighteenth-century taste, moving away from the dense counterpoint of the Baroque toward elegant melody and light orchestration.

J.C. Bach's influence on Mozart cannot be overstated. When the young Mozart visited London in the 1760s, Bach's symphonies and operas made a lasting impression on the boy's developing compositional language. For educators, Bach's works offer a window into the transitional moment between the Baroque and Classical periods, showing how instrumental music was becoming a concert art form independent of opera.

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Why we love this

This sinfonia demonstrates how sophisticated orchestral writing could be while remaining transparent and singable. Bach's melodic gift shines through a lean texture that challenges brass and woodwind players without burying them, making it ideal for orchestras ready to move beyond purely pedagogical repertoire into genuine concert works.

What to expect

Refined and conversational, with a generous melodic gift that feels both sophisticated and approachable. The writing moves with natural grace, never laboring a point, and carries the ease of a composer confident in his craft.

Who it's for

Orchestras with experienced string players and competent woodwind section looking to program 18th-century repertoire beyond the usual Mozart and Haydn staples. This work fits concerts aiming to show students the stylistic variety available even within the symphonic genre.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the string articulation light and bouncy in faster passages; galant style thrives on clarity over weight, so resist the urge to press into full bow.
Balance the woodwind pairs carefully in dialogue with strings. Bach writes for them as independent voices, not doublings, so each section must be heard.
Treat the slow movement with restraint. The elegance comes from purity of line rather than expressive indulgence; let the melody breathe naturally without added vibrato.
Bring out the bass line distinctly. It carries harmonic movement and rhythmic drive that can easily disappear if the cellos are too quiet.

How to use it

Open a concert with this sinfonia to establish elegance and period style before moving into more familiar Classical works. It also pairs beautifully with other Bach sons or with early Mozart, creating a historically informed program that traces the bridge between Baroque and Classical sensibilities.