Why Does Johann Sebastian Bach Always End His Pieces with a Major Chord?

Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most influential composers in Western music, often concluded his compositions with a major chord. This practice, prevalent throughout his repertoire, serves multiple musical and emotional purposes, while also reflecting the conventions of the Baroque era. Let's explore the reasons behind this particular style choice and examine the historical context surrounding Bach's compositional methods.

Sense of Resolution

A major chord provides a strong sense of closure and completion. In Western music, major chords are generally perceived as stable and consonant, which helps to signal to the listener that the piece is coming to an end. This sense of resolution is critical in guiding the listener through a composition, ensuring that each piece ends with a clear and satisfying conclusion.

Affirmation of Joy

Major chords are often associated with positive emotions and joy. Ending a piece on a major chord can reflect the uplifting or affirmative nature of the music, aligning with the Baroque aesthetic that often emphasized harmony and resolution. This choice of harmonic resolution can evoke feelings of triumph or divine affirmation, particularly in religious settings where Bach's works were often performed.

Structural Convention

In the Baroque period, it was common practice to conclude musical works with a strong resolution. This practice was influenced by the tonal system, which prioritized major and minor keys. The tonic, the home chord, is often a major chord, further reinforcing the convention of ending on a strong and stable harmony. Bach's works are no exception, with many pieces concluding with a major chord to provide a clear sense of finality.

Thematic Closure

Many of Bach's works are built around specific themes or motifs. Ending a piece with a major chord can serve to reinforce these themes, bringing the piece full circle and providing a satisfying conclusion. This technique is not only about the emotional impact but also about the thematic resolution that aligns with the piece's underlying structure.

Liturgical Context

In many cases, Bach's music was composed for religious settings where the use of major chords at the end of a piece could symbolize triumph or divine affirmation. These contexts add a layer of meaning to the piece, enhancing its emotional and spiritual impact. For instance, in religious cantatas or Masses, the use of a major chord can evoke a sense of spiritual resolve or divine glory.

Historical Context and Bach's Compositional Variety

It is a common misconception to suggest that Bach always concluded his pieces with a major chord. In reality, the structure of his compositions varied based on the genre, key, and intended purpose of the piece. For example:

Major Pieces Ending in Major Chord: Many of Bach's major pieces, such as Fugues and_outer movements, conclude with a strong and final major chord, reinforcing thematic and emotional resolution. Minor Pieces Ending in Minor Chord: A significant number of his minor-key pieces also end with a minor chord, reflecting a balanced and harmonious resolution. Picardy Third: Some minor pieces end with a Picardy third, which involves replacing the expected minor chord with a major chord on the penultimate third of the cadence, creating a joyful and affirming ending. This technique adds a unique flavor to the piece without disrupting its tonal structure. Phrygian Cadence: In some cases, Bach used a Phrygian cadence, which starts on a minor chord and resolves to a major chord. This technique provides a different and more dramatic resolution compared to a Picardy third, offering a variety in harmonic and emotional impact. Octave Cadences: Some of Bach's solo pieces without continuo conclude with simple octave cadences, which can be considered the most consonant and harmonious endings. In these cases, the piece ends with a bare octave rather than a chord, providing a satisfying and clear resolution.

It's also important to note that these practices existed from the Renaissance period and extended into the Baroque era. Bach, being a master composer, was well-versed in these earlier practices, which he often incorporated into his works. His knowledge of earlier polyphonic techniques, such as ending on a harmonious final cadence or even an octave, reflects the continuous tradition of music spanning centuries.

The Role of Classical Cadences

Classical cadences, including perfect, authentic, and plagal, played a crucial role in Bach's music. These cadences, while often ending on a major chord, provided a sense of resolution and closure. The use of perfect cadences, which typically conclude a section or movement with a strong V-I resolution, is a prominent feature in Bach's works. These cadences not only guided the listener through the harmonic structure but also provided a clear and satisfying conclusion to the piece.

While the Galant movement of the 18th century introduced new styles and practices, many composers, including Bach, continued to incorporate these earlier practices. This demonstrates the enduring influence of earlier musical traditions on the works of masters like Bach.

Conclusion

Bach's use of a major chord to conclude his pieces is multifaceted, serving both musical and emotional purposes. While it is true that he employed various techniques to create a sense of resolution, his compositional methods were diverse and reflective of the long-standing traditions in Western music. Understanding Bach's use of major chords and the broader context of his compositional techniques provides valuable insights into his mastery of harmony and structure.