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Born 21 March 1685. Died 28 July 1750.
Classical composer
Photo of Johann Sebastian Bach
Patrick Wolf
Johann Sebastian Bach (German pronunciation: [joˈhan] or [ˈjoːhan zeˈbastjan ˈbax]) (31 March 1685 [O.S. 21 March] – 28 July 1750) (often referred to as Bach) was a German composer and organist whose ecclesiastical and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity. Although he introduced no new forms, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique, an unrivalled control of harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms and textures from abroad, particularly Italy and France.
Revered for their intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty, Bach's works include the Brandenburg concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Partitas, the Well-Tempered Clavier, the Mass in B Minor, the St. Matthew Passion, the St. John Passion, the Magnificat, The Musical Offering, The Art of Fugue, the English and French Suites, the Sonatas and Partitas for solo violin, the Cello Suites, more than 200 surviving cantatas, and a similar number of organ works, including the celebrated Toccata and Fugue in D minor and Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor.
Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected throughout Europe during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now regarded as the supreme composer of the Baroque, and as one of the greatest of all time.
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Really Simple Syndication
I was standing on the station platform on the way to a concert the other day...Graeme Kay
Really Simple Syndication
Brandenburg Concertos (English Baroque Soloists, feat. conductor: John Eliot Gardiner) (disc 1)
Reviewed by Charlotte Gardner
Stands up on its own, quite simply as a smashing performance.
Partitas 1, 5 & 6 (feat. conductor Murray Perahia)
Reviewed by Michael Quinn
Perahia’s eloquent sleight of hand is up there with the best.
Solo Cantatas (mezzo-soprano: Bernarda Fink)
Reviewed by Charlotte Gardner
Just the right amount of religious propriety.
Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 (harp: Catrin Finch)
Reviewed by Michael Quinn
Finch proves a dexterous negotiator of the fifth variation's hand-crossing gymnastics.
Piano Concertos (Bremen Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie feat. piano: David Fray)
Reviewed by Charlotte Gardner
He couldn't have made a better beginning...
Matthew Passion (c. 1742) (Dunedin Consort)
Reviewed by Charlotte Gardner
From the word go, the Dunedin Consort draws you in.
Cantatas, Volume 22: Eisenach (The Monteverdi Choir, The English Baroque Soloists feat. conductor John Eliot Gardiner) (disc 1: For Easter Sunday and Monday)
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
...an unusual feeling of absorption, devotion and dedication...
Cello Suites (Steven Isserlis) (disc 1)
Reviewed by Charlotte Gardner
This recording can sit proudly on the shelf alongside the great recordings of Casals...
Easter Oratorio, Ascension Oratorio (Taverner Consort & Players feat. conductor: Andrew Parrott)
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
Another installment in Masaaki Suzuki and his Bach Collegium of Japan's fine ongoing...
Morimur (The Hilliard Ensemble feat. violin: Christoph Poppen)
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
"Actus Tragicus" Kantaten BWV 4, 12, 106 & 196 (Cantus Cölln feat. conductor: Konrad Junghänel)
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
A beautifully warm yet detailed recording of three of Bach's early cantatas, from the...
The Harpsichord Concertos
Reviewed by Matthew Shorter
Egarr really knows how to make a harpsichord bristle...
Preludes and Fugues
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
In his almost pointillistic approach to these abstract miniatures by Bach and...
The English Suites / Overture in the French Style (feat. piano: Glenn Gould) (disc 1)
Reviewed by Andrew McGregor
Angela Hewitt's playing displays such clarity and intelligence that you're encouraged...
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Brandenburg Concertos (English Baroque Soloists, feat. conductor: John Eliot Gardiner) (disc 1)
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