One piece frequently performed as a work by J. S. Bach is the “Siciliano.” It was originally from Flute Sonata BMV 1031, as its movement 2. Since it is also often performed on the piano, I think many people will have heard it. The first version I heard was also the piano arrangement performed by Dinu Lipatti.
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I have played this piece for many years, and every time I played it I would wonder, “Is this really Bach?”
Then, just recently, while researching something entirely unrelated, I came across a passage suggesting that it was probably spurious. Wikipedia also says that it was “either newly composed by one of Bach’s pupils (including his sons), modeled on a contemporary flute sonata such as one by Quantz, or arranged as a duo sonata from a pre-existing original such as a trio sonata; in either case, work by his pupils that Bach must have revised was handed down as ‘by Bach.’” So my suspicions were right after all.
Indeed, when you compare it with J. S. Bach’s other flute sonatas, I think the stylistic difference is obvious. Take this one, for example: BWV 1034. This is unmistakably the great Bach. Compared with BWV 1031, the density of the music is entirely different.
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Still, Emmanuel Pahud is extraordinarily good….
(For reference)
Emmanuel Pahud’s complete performance of BMV 1031.
Other Articles in the Music Category
- New Discovery: Mozart Works for Flute and Harp Premiered on 6/21 (6/23 Performance Recording Also Added)
- A Visit to the Mendelssohn House in Leipzig — The Difficulties Faced by the Mendelssohn Family and Women
- Year-End Greetings: Fauré’s “In Paradisum” from Requiem, Op. 48—In Memory of Andrew Nash
- The Background, Lyrics, and Recommended Performances of Giordani’s “Caro mio ben (My Beloved)”
- An Unusual Theme Song for the Annals of Anime History — The Secrets of the Latin Lyrics to “Lilium (White Lily)”
- VTuber Chima Machita’s “Lilium” and “Caro mio ben”
- Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565”: Originally a Violin Piece?
- Season’s Greetings—Bach: Siciliano (Flute and Spinet)
- “Michishirube” at the Setting of Violet Evergarden
- A Recommended Hidden Gem: Damase—Quartet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, and Piano
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