Overview
Johann Sebastian Bach lived in a world where musicians were servant-craftsmen. He wrote music for his masters, both in the palaces and in the town councils of 18th-century Germany. While wars shaped Europe around him, Bach battled with stubborn councilors and incompetent musicians in his search for perfection. After his death, fashion moved on, and for a while Bach was almost forgotten. Now his work has established him as one of the great musical geniuses of all time.Examines the childhood and early musical training of the prolific eighteenth-century German composer as well as the influences and historical events that shaped his adult life.
Synopsis
Johann Sebastian Bach lived in a world where musicians were servant-craftsmen. He wrote music for his masters, both in the palaces and in the town councils of 18th-century Germany. While wars shaped Europe around him, Bach battled with stubborn councilors and incompetent musicians in his search for perfection. After his death, fashion moved on, and for a while Bach was almost forgotten. Now his work has established him as one of the great musical geniuses of all time.
Children's Literature
A lavishly illustrated, beautiful book about 18th century genius Johann Sebastian Bach, beginning with his birth into a musical family and concluding with the sad fact that his music became dated after his death and suffered a long period of benign neglect before becoming truly appreciated. Fact-filled sidebars add considerable relevant information about the history and customs of Bach's times, and there are interesting anecdotes throughout. However, the book is relatively dry and will appeal mostly to music students or history/biography buffs working on assignments. 1996 (orig.