Description

This significant examination of Johann Sebastian Bach is considered one of the great masterpieces in musicology. Since its initial release between 1873 and 1880, it has continued to be the essential reference on Bach and the basis for subsequent research and scholarship. The three-part analysis details in chronological order nearly all that is known about the composer's life: his lineage, his close family, his connections, his employers, and the many instances where his musical talent shone through. Author Philipp Spitta supplements this biographical content with excerpts from primary sources: letters, family archives, journals, official papers, and others. Alongside biographical information, Spitta examines Bach's body of work, analyzing over 500 compositions and encompassing all significant pieces. Over 450 musical excerpts are featured in the main text, while a 43-page musical appendix showcases extended sections. Although this work is scholarly, it uniquely stands out as a study that can be thoroughly enjoyed and greatly beneficial to any serious music enthusiast, regardless of their level of expertise in music history or theory.