Sonata form in the six quintets, opus 11, by Johann Christian Bach

This study is about Johann Christian Bach's Opus 11 Quintets for flute, oboe, violin, viola, cello and continuo. The main focus of the research concerns the use of sonata form in these pieces. All the first movements are in sonata form, which was a common practice of his time. The two slow second movements are in sonata form also. In addition, one of the slow movements is sonata form without a development section.This period of time was rich in experimentation. Within Bach's work the variety within these eight sonata-form movements is explored. Essential features of the sonata form as well as Bach's unique originality are evident.In order to be able to historically place these works, the sonata-form movements of Bach's contemporaries and Bach's other types of instrumental works are compared to Bach's Opus 11. Works included for the discussion in this dissertation are the quartets and quintets in mixed instrumentation including one or two woodwind instruments. The closest possible instrumentation to Opus 11 is that of flute and oboe.Bach's music is Italian in tone; however, the Germanic inheritance is evident in the use of polyphonic texture, harmonic depth, and richness of instrumentation. His concern for instrumental color is highly advanced for his time and he virtually pioneers this color effect in an ensemble works. His skillful use of sonata form and instrumentation is the pathway that Mozart promoted.Thesis (D.A.