Minuet in G | Piano Play-Along
Christian Petzold
Long attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, Minuet in G Major is now known to have been composed by Christian Petzold, a German organist and composer of the Baroque era. The piece was included in the 1725 Notebook for Anna Magdalena Bach, a collection of keyboard works compiled by Johann Sebastian. For many years, the minuet was believed to be Bach’s own due to its inclusion in this family manuscript, but musicological research in the 20th century revealed Petzold as the true composer.
Structurally, the minuet follows a binary form (AABB)—typical of dance movements from the Baroque period—and embodies the courtly elegance associated with 18th-century minuets. Stylistically, the piece features a clear melodic line, simple harmonies, and symmetrical phrasing, making it accessible to beginning pianists. The Minuet in G remains a beloved staple of early piano education and a testament to Petzold’s skill, even if it spent centuries under Bach’s name.
The Baroque period was a time of great cultural advancements. Musicians like Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel were creating masterpieces that would forever change the world. However, amidst these giants, Christian Petzold is a name often overshadowed.
