J. S. Bach

A Life in Music

By: Peter Williams

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Hardcover | 15 February 2007

At a Glance

Hardcover
418 Pages

Dimensions(cm)
22.86 x 15.24 x 2.69

Hardcover

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Peter Wiliams approaches afresh the life and music of arguably the most studied of all composers, interpreting both Bach's life by deconstructing his original Obituary in the light of new information, and his music by evaluating his priorities and irrepressible creative energy. How, though belonging to musical families on both his parents' sides, did he come to possess so bewitching a sense of rhythm and melody, and a mastery of harmony that established nothing less than a norm in western culture? In considering that the works of a composer are his biography, the book's title 'A Life in Music' means both a life spent making music and one revealed in the music as we know it. A distinguished scholar and performer, Williams re-examines Bach's life as an orphan and a family man, as an extraordinarily gifted composer and player, and an energetic and ambitious artist who never suffered fools gladly.

Industry Reviews

'... its freshness of approach and practical knowledge of the music are enthralling.' The Herald 'Peter williams' observations in this new well-written volume add an imaginative and fresh dimension that will keep the 'little grey cells' charged. ... This new volume could be a useful 'precursor' and we are the beneficiaries as a result.' The Journal of the London Bach Society '... Williams is a writer both erudite and compelling ... this is a biography unafraid to raise awkward questions and make a gallant attempt to answer them. ... William's study, a substantial read, fills an important place in English language Bach literature.' BBC Music Magazine 'Williams's book is dense and challenging ... a rewarding read, certain to enthral equally any lover of Bach's music and admirer of the techniques of forensic enquiry.' Musical Times

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You Can Find This Book In

Non-Fiction Biographies & True Stories Biographies Arts & Entertainment Biographies Arts & Entertainment Music Individual Composers & Musicians, Specific Bands & Groups Music Styles & Genres Western Classical Music & Opera Baroque Music from 1600 to 1750 Classical Music from 1750 to 1830

Early years 1685-1703
'Honourable Thuringians+
Birth, family
Loss of parents
The 'Moonlight episode+
The move to Lnneburg
Visits to Hamburg
French tastes
First appointments 1703-1708
The Arnstadt appointment
Further influences
From Arnstadt to Lnbeck
Buxtehude
The Mnhlhausen appointment
The Mnhlhausen organ
First marriage
Letters and writing
Weimar 1708+1717
Heard by a duke
The Weimar appointment
Weimar organ composition
Other development in Weimar
The Halle audition
Music for Halle?
The Weimar promotion and cantatas
Pupils in Weimar
The competition with Marchand
C÷then 1717-1723
The call to C÷then
The C÷then appointment
The 'Brandenburg Concertos+
Some other music at C÷then
Death of wife Maria Barbara
The Hamburg recital (audition?)
Second marriage
Some other musical activities
The family
Leipzig, the first years
The call to Leipzig
The appointment procedure
New life in Leipzig
The place of cantatas
Some music
Further cantata cycles
The Passions
Other musical activities
Leipzig, the middle years
The Collegium musicum and chamber repertories
The first published set of pieces
The royal title and associated music
Organs and organ music
Harpsichord music
Other musical developments
Other activities
Leipzig, the final years
Concerning the last decade
The art of Fugue
The visit to Potsdam
'The B minor Mass+
Blindness
Deathbed and death
Observations, descriptions, criticisms
Circumstances at the Thomaskirche
The letter to Georg Erdmann
The Collegium obsolescent?
Organs and harpsichords
'Hidden secrets of harmony+
'Serious and profound music+
'A light and playful manner of thinking+
The score-reader
The keyboard player
The organ expert
Scheibe+s criticism
Character, quarrels
'Theoretical speculations+
Tuning and temperament
The teacher
What was taught
A note on the four-part chorales
A speculation concerning W. F. Bach
Epilogue: Concerning the life
Concerning the music
Texts, 'appropriate+ music, order-plans, parodies
A brief note on aesthetics
Glossary
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

J. S. Bach

A Life in Music

At a Glance

Hardcover

Industry Reviews

Shipping

How to return your order

Defective items

You Can Find This Book In

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