J.S. Bach : a life in music / Peter Williams.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Williams, Peter, 1937 May 14- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750.

Bach, Johann Sebastian.

Composers--Germany--Biography.

Composers.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xi, 405 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Peter Williams 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 more recent information and his music by evaluating his priorities and irrepressible creative energy. How, even 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 family man, as an extraordinarily gifted composer and player and as an ambitious artist who never suffered fools gladly.

Contents:

Early years 1685-1703

First appointments 1703-8

Weimar 1708-17

Cöthen 1717-23

Leipzig, the first years

Leipzig, the middle years

Leipzig, the final years

Observations, descriptions, criticisms.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN:

9780828314664

0828314667

9781107171794

1107171792

9781280850233

128085023X

9780511278402

0511278403

9780511279003

0511279000

9780511277207

0511277202

9780511320200

0511320205

9780511481864

0511481861

9780511277795

0511277792

OCLC:

476054870