Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Donald Macleod tries to get to the heart of JS Bach’s character, warts and all.

Johann Sebastian Bach, who is now almost universally recognised as one of the giants of classical music, was not always so celebrated. In his own lifetime he received some public recognition but this contrasted with his regular complaints of unjust humiliations at the hands of his contemporaries and his employers. Was the composer hard done by or were these problems of his own making?

This week, Donald Macleod tries to get to the heart of Bach’s character, warts and all, through five different periods in the composer’s life. We’ll be hearing from some of Bach’s most glorious music, as Donald ponders what the composer’s character might mean for our understanding of the man and his art.

Music Featured:

St Matthew Passion, BWV 244, “Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder” Solo Violin Sonata No 1 in G minor, BWV 1001 (I, Adagio) Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich, BWV 150 Passacaglia and fugue in C minor, BWV 582 Ascension Oratorio, BWV 11, “Ach bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben” Ein Feste Berg ist unser Gott, BWV 80 (Opening Chorus) Coffee Cantata, BWV 211, “Hat man nicht mit seinen Kindern” Capriccio in E Major, BWV 993 Violin Concerto No 1 in A minor, BWV1041 Sonata in A minor, BWV 965, after Reincken Suite No 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 – Overture Toccata & Fugue in F major, BWV 540 Christen, atzet diesen Tag, BWV 63, "Höchster, schau in Gnaden an" Prelude & Fugue in E flat major, BWV 852 from The Well-Tempered Clavier Brandenburg Concerto No 6 Lute Suite in E minor, BWV 996 (Bourée) Herr Jesu Christ, wahr’ Mensch und Gott, BWV 127 Suite No 1 in G major for solo Cello, BWV 1007 Ich habe genug, BWV 82 - "Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen" Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 135 “Weicht, all’ihr Ubeltater” Fantasia in G, BWV 572 Orchestral Suite No 3 (Air) Mass in B minor, BWV 232 (Gloria in excelsis & Et in terra pax) Musical Offering , BWV 1079 (Sonata for Flute, Violin and Continuo) The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080 (Contrapunctus XIV)

Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Sam Phillips

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0010g9g

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z