Celebrating J.S. Bach's Birthday on a Gilded Age Piano

Case by George A. Schastey & Co. (1873–97); Piano by Steinway & Sons (1853–present). Model B grand piano from the William Clark House, Newark, New Jersey, 1882. Rosewood, satinwood, purpleheart, brass, and silver; 60 x 84 x 40 in. (152.4 x 213.4 x 101.6 cm); 72 in. H with top open. Collection of Paul Manganaro

«Born on this day in 1685, in Eisenach, Germany, Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the greatest musical figures of all time, whose vast number of works continue to be beloved throughout the world. To celebrate the birthday of this towering composer, we are pleased to present a recent recording of one of Bach's most unusual works, the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue in D minor, from a recent performance at The Met by Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner.»

Performed at The Met by Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, February 2016

Bach composed this extraordinary piece for harpsichord while living in Köthen as the Kapellmeister for Prince Leopold von Annhalt-Köthen. Bach did not give the piece the title "Chromatic"; it was a nickname added later to describe the experimental use of tonality within the work. The opening fantasy uses arpeggios and recitative-like passagework that is both expressive and improvisatory, and features a series of unexpected modulations. The subsequent fugue is built around a sequential, chromatic theme.

Though originally written for the harpsichord, pianists in the 19th century began to incorporate the work into the canon of concert repertoire. Felix Mendelssohn, a leading figure in reviving interest in the music of Bach, often performed the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, and the work was also influential to the pianist-composers Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms.

Sanchez-Werner is a virtuosic pianist who, at 19, already has built an amazing résumé. He has performed as a soloist at the White House and for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration concert at the Kennedy Center. In 2015, he received the National YoungArts Foundation's only gold medal for Music. In concert at The Met, Sanchez-Werner played the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue on a beautiful 1882 Steinway & Sons piano that is notable for its elaborate case, designed by George A. Schastey. This extraordinary instrument is currently on view at the Museum through May 1 as a part of the exhibition Artistic Furniture of the Gilded Age: George A. Schastey, and will be featured in a MetLiveArts performance on April 16.

Related Event
Schastey's Steinway: Music of the Gilded Age—"A Bird in a Gilded Cage"
Satuday, April 16, 7 pm
The Met Fifth Avenue - Gallery 746
Tickets start at $75 and include Museum admission.