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Johann Sebastian Bach

The Learned Musician

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Johann Sebastian Bach

By: Christoph Wolff
Narrated by: John Pruden
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About this listen

Finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in Biography, this landmark book was revised in 2013 to include new knowledge discovered after its initial publication.

Although we have heard the music of J. S. Bach in countless performances and recordings, the composer himself still comes across only as an enigmatic figure in a single familiar portrait. As we mark the 250th anniversary of Bach's death, author Christoph Wolff presents a new picture that brings to life this towering figure of the Baroque era. This engaging new biography portrays Bach as the living, breathing, and sometimes imperfect human being that he was, while bringing to bear all the advances of the last half-century of Bach scholarship. Wolff demonstrates the intimate connection between the composer's life and his music, showing how Bach's superb inventiveness pervaded his career as musician, composer, performer, scholar, and teacher. And throughout, we see Bach in the broader context of his time: its institutions, traditions, and influences. With this highly listenable book, Wolff sets a new standard for Bach biography.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2000, 2013 Christoph Wolff (P)2019 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities History & Criticism Music Celebrity Musician Career Middle Ages
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The narrators pronunciation of the German was perfect. gives a good overview of kapellmeister Bach

The original musical genius

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A comprehensive and detailed biography. Organists would enjoy this book too as there is much information given on the various organs Bach played on - in those days a bellows operator was needed whenever one wished to play or practice the organ!
I also thought the narrator did a wonderful job - a clear measured voice without being too slow. Perfect!

Loved it - very interesting and detailed insight

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Yes, this book has all the details of Bach's life but too time is spent in a laborious cataloging of the works which he was producing at each phase of his life - this quickly becomes boring - and then irritating.

Otherwise, a most thorough coverage of Bach's life.

Largely technical appraisal of Bach's life

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unfortunately the Bach book is not what I expected and the narrator is difficult to listen to.plesse cancel my recent application to join
thank you. Christopher David Williams Thailand

I do not want to continue with this membership

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