Johann Ernst, the third-born son of Johanna Sophia Siefer and Johann Bernhard Bach, was a musician and organist at St. George's Church in Eisenach. He was initially taught by his father and from January 1737 by his uncle and godfather Johann Sebastian Bach in Leipzig, when he moved there to attend St. Thomas's School and later to study law. He had to abandon his studies there in 1741 when he was called back to Eisenach to help his sick father, and although Ernst missed the musical activities in Leipzig, Johann Sebastian persuaded him to stay at his father's side. He eventually succeeded him as organist in Eisenach in 1749.

J. E. Bach's 6 sonatas for fortepiano and violin are among the few works that the composer was able to publish during his lifetime: the first three in 1770 and the others in 1772. Although critics considered them "too modern", they were so well received by the public that a new edition was published in 1775.

Their title is not "with violin accompaniment", which was typical for the time, but "Sonatas for fortepiano and violin": the two instruments are given equal importance. In the last three sonatas, the structures become more complex and reveal the inspiration of early representatives of classicism such as C. P. E. Bach. Although Johann Ernst was known as an organist and harpsichordist, the compositions in the fast movements and the lyricism of the slow sections, as well as the inclusion of dynamic markings, suggest that these works were conceived for the newly invented fortepiano. All six sonatas are divided into three movements, which alternate fast-slow-fast in keeping with the Italian symphonic style.

Further information:
Recorded in July 2023, Capranica, Italy. The bilingual booklet in English and Italian contains liner notes of the artists and their biographies.

Susanna Pisana plays a violin by Bernardo Calcagni (ca. 1740); Maurizio Paciariello plays a fortepiano made by Ugo Casiglia after a model by Anton Walter (1798).

Johann Ernst Bach (1722-1777) was a respected composer of the Bach musical dynasty, albeit less well-known than his famous relatives. As the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach's half-brother, he inherited a legacy of musical genius. At a young age, Bach studied at the Latin school in Eisenach from 1732 to 1735. On January 16, 1737, he entered the Thomasschule in Leipzig, where he then became a pupil of his uncle Johann Sebastian Bach. As a pupil of J. S. Bach, he helped his uncle copy his music. He later became court conductor in Eisenach.

Johann Ernst's compositions, which include vocal works, chamber music and pieces for keyboard instruments, show his innovative approach, combining his family's baroque style with emerging classical elements. This new recording presents 6 sonatas for violin and fortepiano. The writing of the fast movements and the cantabile of the slow movements, as well as the presence of dynamic indications, suggest that these works are aimed at the new piano rather than the harpsichord.

Played by Maurizio Paciariello (piano) and Susanna Pisana (violin).