Invention
Baroque works
Definition
A short two-voice contrapuntal piece demonstrating a single motivic idea developed through imitation and inversion. Bach's 15 Two-Part Inventions are the canonical examples.
Historical Context
Bach composed his Inventions (BWV 772–786) for pedagogical purposes, describing them as a guide to 'clean playing in two voices' and the development of 'a singing style.' They remain foundational to keyboard education.
Works (30)
- Invention No. 1 in C major, BWV 772 Key C major
- Invention No. 10 in G major, BWV 781 Key G major
- Invention No. 11 in G minor, BWV 782 Key G minor
- Invention No. 12 in A major, BWV 783 Key A major
- Invention No. 13 in A minor, BWV 784 Key A minor
- Invention No. 14 in B♭ major, BWV 785 Key B♭ major
- Invention No. 15 in B minor, BWV 786 Key B minor
- Invention No. 2 in C minor, BWV 773 Key C minor
- Invention No. 3 in D major, BWV 774 Key D major
- Invention No. 4 in D minor, BWV 775 Key D minor
- Invention No. 5 in E♭ major, BWV 776 Key E♭ major
- Invention No. 6 in E major, BWV 777 Key E major
- Invention No. 7 in E minor, BWV 778 Key E minor
- Invention No. 8 in F major, BWV 779 Key F major
- Invention No. 9 in F minor, BWV 780 Key F minor
- Sinfonia No. 1 in C major, BWV 787 Key C major
- Sinfonia No. 10 in G major, BWV 796 Key G major
- Sinfonia No. 11 in G minor, BWV 797 Key G minor
- Sinfonia No. 12 in A major, BWV 798 Key A major
- Sinfonia No. 13 in A minor, BWV 799 Key A minor
- Sinfonia No. 14 in B♭ major, BWV 800 Key B♭ major
- Sinfonia No. 15 in B minor, BWV 801 Key B minor
- Sinfonia No. 2 in C minor, BWV 788 Key C minor
- Sinfonia No. 3 in D major, BWV 789 Key D major
- Sinfonia No. 4 in D minor, BWV 790 Key D minor
- Sinfonia No. 5 in E♭ major, BWV 791 Key E♭ major
- Sinfonia No. 6 in E major, BWV 792 Key E major
- Sinfonia No. 7 in E minor, BWV 793 Key E minor
- Sinfonia No. 8 in F major, BWV 794 Key F major
- Sinfonia No. 9 in F minor, BWV 795 Key F minor