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Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician » (Reprint)

Book cover image of Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician by Christoph Wolff

Authors: Christoph Wolff
ISBN-13: 9780393322569, ISBN-10: 0393322564
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Date Published: September 2001
Edition: Reprint

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Author Biography: Christoph Wolff

Christoph Wolff, William Powell Mason Professor of Music at Harvard University, is co-author of The Bach Compendium, co-editor of Bach-Jahrbuch, and author of The New Grove Bach Family.

Book Synopsis

Finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in Biography.

A landmark biography of Bach on the 250th anniversary of the composer's death, written by the leading Bach scholar of our age.

Los Angeles Times Book Review

It's unlikely that anyone will fashion a finer tribute to [Bach's] genius.

Table of Contents

General Abbreviations
Acknowledgments
List of Illustrations
Preface
Prologue: Bach and the Notion of "Musical Science"1
1Springs of Musical Talent and Lifelong Influences: Eisenach, 1685-169513
2Laying the Foundations: Ohrdruf, 1695-170033
3Bypassing a Musical Apprenticeship: From Luneburg to Weimar, 1700-170353
4Building a Reputation: Organist in Arnstadt and Muhlhausen, 1703-170877
5Exploring "Every Possible Artistry": Court Organist and Cammer Musicus in Weimar, 1708-1714117
6Expanding Musical Horizons: Concertmaster in Weimar, 1714-1717147
7Pursuing "the Musical Contest for Superiority": Capellmeister in Cothen, 1717-1723187
8Redefining a Venerable Office: Cantor and Music Director in Leipzig: The 1720s237
9Musician and Scholar: Counterpoint of Practice and Theory305
10Traversing Conventional Boundaries: Special Engagements: The 1730s341
11A Singing Bird and Carnations for the Lady of the House: Domestic and Professional Life391
12Contemplating Past, Present, and Future: The Final Decade: The 1740s417
Epilogue: Bach and the Idea of "Musical Perfection"465
Notes473
Music Examples511
Appendixes
Bibliography545
Genre Index of Bach's Works555
Title Index of Bach's Works564
General Index573

Subjects