Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
Andante in b minor BWV 528
The Andante in b minor from the organ trio sonata BWV 528 forms the middle movement of the sonata, which is composed in e minor. This sonata is part of the set of organ trio sonatas written by Johann Sebastian Bach during the 1720s, while he was in Köthen.
According to the first biographer of Bach, Nikolaus Forkel, the trio sonatas BWV 525–530 were composed for pedagogical purposes, specifically for Bach's eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann Bach. Forkel emphasized that these works were intended not only to present a high level of technical challenge but also to serve as study pieces for understanding counterpoint and musical form.
The polyphonic and clear compositional style of these trio sonatas makes them especially suitable for chamber music arrangements. Their three-voice structure—consisting of the melody, an accompanying voice, and the pedal—allows for flexible and engaging adaptations for various instruments and ensembles, making these works an attractive repertoire for both organists and chamber musicians alike.
