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.
• Demonstrates how the life and music of this popular composer interconnect • Chapters are divided into sections, providing an easy to follow chronology • Includes a detailed glossary and illustrative music examples
Contents
1. Early years 1685-1703; 'Honourable Thuringians'; Birth, family; Loss of parents; The 'Moonlight episode'; The move to Lüneburg; Visits to Hamburg; French tastes; 2. First appointments 1703-1708; The Arnstadt appointment; Further influences; From Arnstadt to Lübeck; Buxtehude; The Mühlhausen appointment; The Mühlhausen organ; First marriage; Letters and writing; 3. 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; 4. Cöthen 1717-1723; The call to Cöthen; The Cöthen appointment; The 'Brandenburg Concertos'; Some other music at Cöthen; Death of wife Maria Barbara; The Hamburg recital (audition?); Second marriage; Some other musical activities; The family; 5. 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; 6. 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; 7. Leipzig, the final years; Concerning the last decade; The art of Fugue; The visit to Potsdam; 'The B minor Mass'; Blindness; Deathbed and death; 8. 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.
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
Printer friendly version
Email a colleague