Wayland S. answered • 08/15/25
Musical polymath including all areas of Western Music History.
While in the employ of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Köthen, Bach traveled to Berlin in 1719 to pay for a new harpsichord. It was there that he met Margrave of Brandenburg, Christian Ludwig. As Leopold's musical interests seemed to be waning, Ludwig kept an orchestra and was reported to be a great lover and patron of music. Bach was concerned about his future and the education of his children. Thus, in 1721, he compiled 6 works, previously conceived or composed and transcribed them in his own hand to present before the Margrave, hoping for a new post or patronage.
Bach presented a 'musical resume' of sorts to Christian Ludwig, Margrave of Brandenburg-Schwedt, in 1721. Six works under the title "Six Concerts Avec plusieurs instruments". Some speculate that instead of several instruments, Bach utilized a full orchestra and all orders of instrumentation, and it is likely that Ludwig did not possess the orchestra to perform the works. The Margrave never acknowledged receipt of the works, offered him a position, nor did he pay for the pieces. Alas, this endeavor was all for nought.
The Concerti changed hands after the Margrave's death several times. With few performances and in the absence of popular acclaim, only the fifth concerto showed favor in future years. The complete score was found in 1849 in Princess Amelia's library. They were nearly lost in WWII on while being transported to Prussia for safe-keeping. The first complete recording was in 1939, conducted by Adolf Busch.
Bach's dedication to the Margrave reads:
"As I had the good fortune a few years ago to be heard by Your Royal Highness, at Your Highness's commands, and as I noticed then that Your Highness took some pleasure in the little talents which Heaven has given me for Music, and as in taking Leave of Your Royal Highness, Your Highness deigned to honour me with the command to send Your Highness some pieces of my Composition: I have in accordance with Your Highness's most gracious orders taken the liberty of rendering my most humble duty to Your Royal Highness with the present Concertos, which I have adapted to several instruments; begging Your Highness most humbly not to judge their imperfection with the rigour of that discriminating and sensitive taste, which everyone knows Him to have for musical works, but rather to take into benign Consideration the profound respect and the most humble obedience which I thus attempt to show Him."
