The Bach reader : a life of Johann Sebastian Bach in letters and documents / edited by Hans T. David and Arthur Mendel.
| Author/creator | David, Hans T. |
| Other author | Mendel, Arthur, 1905-1979. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | Revised, with a supplement. |
| Publication Info | New York : W. W. Norton, [1966] |
| Description | 474 pages : illustrations, facsimiles, music, portraits ; 22 cm |
| Subjects |
| Contents | Section one. Johann Sebastian Bach: a portrait in outline. Background, career, and personality ; Heritage and achievement ; Attitude toward the art of music -- Section two. Bach's life in his own writings and other evidence. A biographical note from Walther's Musicalisches Lexicon (1732) ; Eisenach (1685-1695). Excerpts from the church records. Bach's baptism ; Burial of his mother ; Second marriage of his father ; Burial of his father -- Ohrdruf (1695-1700). Excerpt from the school record -- Luneburg (1700-1703). Fees paid to members of the Mettenchor -- Arnstadt (1703-1707). Bach reports on the organ in the New Church ; His certificate of appointment ; A piece of program music by Bach (1704) ; Bach in a brawl (1705) ; Problems of discipline (1706). Bach reproved for prolonged absence and improper playing ; The prefect reproved ; Bach reproved again -- Muhlhausen (1707-1708). The parish of St. Blasius' elects Bach as organist (1707). Proceedings of parish meetings ; The certificate of appointment -- Bach leaves Arnstadt. He requests his dismissal ; He assigns the last quarter of his salary to Johann Ernst Bach -- Bach marries ; Title page of Bach's first published work (1708) ; Bach suggests improvements in the organ. Proceedings of a parish meeting ; Bach's Project for Repairs to the Organ of St. Blasius' Church -- Bach leaves Muhlhausen. He requests his dismissal ; The dismissal is granted ; His successor is chosen -- Weimar (1708-1717). Bach's compensation at Weimar (1710-1717) ; Testimonial for the organ builder Heinrich Trebs (1711) ; Bach instructs the duke ; Canon a 4 voc: perpetuus (1713) ; Bach receives a call to Halle. Text of the proffered agreement ; He makes inquiries -- His salary is increased (1714) ; He refutes an accusation of unfair dealings ; His position at Weimar. List of members of the castle capelle ; Note about rehearsals -- Order of Divine Service in Leipzig (as noted down by Bach) ; Bach receives a further increase in salary (1715) ; He serves as an examiner of a new organ at Halle (1716). Acknowledgement of the church board's invitation ; Report by Johann Kuhnau, C. F. Rolle, and Bach ; Menu of the dinner on the occasion of the dedication of the new organ -- Testimonial for the organ builder J. G. Schroter ; Bach receives his dismissal from Weimar (1717) ; Title page of the Orgel-buchlein -- Cothen (1717-1723). Bach's salary (1717-1718) ; Report on the organ of the Pauliner-Kirche at Leipzig (1717) ; Bach receives rent (1718) ; Burial of his wife (1720) ; Title page of the Clavier-Buchlein for Wilhelm Friedemann Bach ; Bach applies for an organist's post at Hamburg. Excerpts from the minutes of the Jacobi-Kirche ; Mattheson's account of the affair -- Six concerts avec plusieurs instruments (the Brandenburg concertos) (1721). Title page ; Dedication -- Bach's second marriage ; Salaries for Bach and his wife (1721-1723) ; Title page of the Little Clavier Book for Anna Magdalena Bach (1722) ; A petition in the matter of a heritage ; Title of Das Wohl Temperirte Clavier ; Bach repairs the Prince's harpsichords (1722-1723) ; Title of the inventions -- Leipzig (1723-1750). Bach becomes cantor and Director Musices at St. Thomas's (1723). A summary account from Reimer's chronicle of Leipzig ; Deliberations of the council ; Bach's dismissal from Cothen ; His preliminary pledge ; The election ; Notifications ; Bach's final undertaking ; He is found theologically sound ; He enters upon his duties ; He is formally installed ; Report from Dr. Salomon Deyling to the consistory (1724) ; The consistory's reply ; A report by the town clerk -- The St. John Passion at the Nicolai-Kirche ; Edifying Thoughts of a Tobacco Smoker (a poem, 1725) ; Bach vs. a worshipful university (1725-1726). Bach's first complaint to the king ; His second complaint ; His third complaint ; The king's decision -- Title page of an installment of Bach's first published instrumental work: the Clavier-Ubung (1726) ; Bach furnishes the town council of Plauen with a cantor. He acknowledges the council's request ; He reports finding a suitable candidate ; He inquires about the council's decision ; A letter of introduction for G. G. Wagner -- A dedicatory poem ; Letter of recommendation for C. G. Wecker (1727) ; A serenade for the birthday of King Augustus II ; A canon for L. F. Hudemann ; Testimonial for F. G. Wild ; Bach's Ode of Mourning for Queen Christiane Eberhardine. A document he refused to sign ; The performance -- The choice of hymns for the service (1728). Instructions from the consistory to Deyling ; Protest by Bach to the council -- Bach sends a testimonial to C. G. Wecker (1729). The covering letter ; The testimonial -- Bach performs the funeral music for Prince Leopold ; Bach judges prospective students ; Testimonial for J. C. Weyrauch (1730) ; The consistory forbids the use of unfamiliar hymns ; Bach in disfavor ; Short but most necessary draft for a well-appointed church music ; A note on the minimum requirements of the choirs ; Bach in search of another position, letter to Georg Erdmann in Danzig ; Testimonials (1731). For J. A. Scheibe ; For J. C. Dorn -- A receipt (1732) ; Bach in Cassel ; Bach asks Frederick Augustus II for a court title, letter accompanying parts of the B-minor Mass (1733) ; Cantor, organist, and rector make a joint protest. To the council ; To the consistory -- A perpetual two-part canon (1734) ; Bach performs a Dramma per Musica before the king and queen. Title page ; A receipt -- Title page of the second part of the Clavier-Ubung (1735) ; Bach writes to Muhlhausen on behalf of his son Johann Gottfried Bernhard. To Mr. Tobia Rothschier, senior of the council ; To Burgomaster Christian Petri -- Testimonial for J. L. Krebas ; Title page of Schmelli's Musical Song Book (1736) ; Bach vs. Ernesti: dispute about the right to appoint the prefects. A summary account by J. F. Kohler ; Bach's first complaint to the council ; His second complaint ; His third complaint ; Ernesti's reply ; Bach's fourth complaint ; Ernesti's rebuttal of Bach's third complaint -- Announcement of the musical concerts at Leipzig ; Two letters to Sangerhausen on behalf of Johann Gottfried Bernhard ; Certificate for Johann Sebastian Bach as compositeur to the royal court capelle ; Bach plays in Dresden ; Further developments in the case of Bach vs. Ernesti (1737). Decree of the town council ; Bach appeals to the consistory ; He renews his appeal ; He appeals to the king ; The king's decree -- Bach presents a cantata for the betrothal of Princess Amalia (1738). Excerpt from Riemer's chronicle ; Title page of the printed text ; A receipt -- Two letters about the debts of Johann Gottfried Bernhard ; Johann Elias Bach solicits subscriptions for the third part of the Clavier-Ubung (1739) ; The council cautions Bach about the performance of a Passion ; Excerpts from letters of Johann Elias to cantor Koch ; Title page of the third part of the Clavier-Ubung ; Johann Elias asks for some wine for Johann Sebastian ; Report on candidates for a post at the Thomas-Schule (1740) ; Testimonial for C. F. Schemelli ; Johann Elias inquires about a linnet for Anna Magdalena ; He acknowledges a gift of carnations for her ; Johann Sebastian acknowledges a gift of venison (1741) ; Johann Elias reports on Anna Magdalena's illness ; Anna Magdalena declines an invitation ; A letter of thanks from Johann Elias to Johann Sebastian ; Title page of the Goldberg Variations (1742) ; Title of Das Wohl Temperirte Clavier, book II ; A receipt (1743) ; Testimonials (1743-1744). For C. G. Wunsch ; For J. G. Heinrich ; Bach's report on the new organ at Zschortau (1746) ; Report on the organ of St. Wenceslas' in Naumburg, by Bach and Silbermann ; Trias Harmonica (canon) ; Title page of the Schubler chorales (1746) ; Bach visits Frederick the Great (1747) ; Testimonial for J. C. Altnickol ; Bach becomes a member of the society of the musical sciences. Note from Mizler's Musikalische Bibliothek ; A canon written for the society ; Title page of a larger work for the society, the canonic variations -- Bach writes a work for Frederick the Great, the Musical Offering. Title page ; Dedication -- Bach receives rent for a clavier ; A canon for J. G. Fulde ; Two letters to Naumburg on behalf of Altnickol (1748) ; Letters to Johann Elias Bach. Concerning a copy of the "Prussian fugue" ; Concerning a cask of wine -- Canon super Fa Mi a 7 (1749) ; The Premier Ministre suggests a successor to Bach's post. Letter of introduction for Gottlob Harrer ; Harrer's trial performance -- Bach takes sides in another conflict with a rector ; The surgeon's account of the operation on Bach's eyes ; Bach's death (1750). Excerpt from the death register of the Thomas-Kirche ; Announcement read from the pulpit ; Death notice from the Spenersche Zeitung -- Choice of the new cantor. Excerpts from the proceedings of the council ; The new cantor is installed -- Petitions by Anna Magdalena. To the council ; To the university -- Specification of the estate left by the late Mr. Johann Sebastian Bach ; The last publication planned by Bach, the art of the fugue (1751). Title page ; Notice -- |
| Contents | Section three. Genealogy of the Bach family / J. S. Bach (1735) with later additions by C. P. E. Bach -- Section four. Obituary of Bach / C. P. E. Bach and J. F. Agricola (1754) -- Section five. Bach as seen by his contemporaries. Poems in praise of Bach / Micrander (1731) / L. F. Hudemann (1732) / G. P. Telemann (1751) -- Reports and reviews written during Bach's lifetime. The first reference of Bach in print / Johann Mattheson (1717) ; Bach's declamation criticized / Mattheson (1725) ; "Theatrical" passion music / Christian Gerber (1732) ; On German style in Clavier music / J. A. Scheibe (1737) ; On a fugue subject by Bach / Mattheson (1737) ; Bach's thorough-bass playing / C. L. Mizler (1738) ; Bach playing and conducting / J. M. Gesner (1738) ; On Bach's canon for Hudemann / Mattheson (1739) ; The greatest organists / Mattheson (1739) ; On the Italian concerto / Scheibe (1739) ; On florid expression / Scheibe (1739) ; On the third part of the Claiver-Ubung / Mizler (1740) ; A visit to Bach / J. B. Reimann (1740) ; A dedication / G. A. Sorge (1742) ; Bach's playing on the pedals / Constantin Bellermann (1743) ; A sidelight on Bach's chorale playing / J. G. Ziegler (1746) -- Criticism and defense: a controversy. Letter from an Able Musikant Abroad / J. A. Scheibe (1737) ; Impartial comments / J. A. Birnbaum (1738) ; A reply / Scheibe (1738) ; Refutations of Scheibe / C. L. Mizler (1738) ; A satire / Scheibe (1739) ; A summary account / C. G. Schroter (1746) -- Accounts and critical estimates written after Bach's death. Bach's eminence in the development of organ playing / J. J. Quantz (1752) ; On strict and free fugue / F. W. Marpurg (1753) ; On fingering / C. P. E. Bach (1753) ; Dedication of the treatise on the fugue (part II) / Marpurg (1754) ; On reason and soul in composition / J. M. Schmidt (1754) ; Bach's thorough-bass playing / J. F. Duabe (1756) ; On the organ chorales / Jacob Adlung (1758) ; Bach on variety in fugue writing / Marpurg (1760) ; Notes from a treatise on the organ and other instruments / J. F. Agricola (1768). Bach on reed stops, on stops of low pitch, on the length of keys, on Silbermann's pianoforte ; Bach's lute-harpsichord -- On Bach's celebrity / C. P. E. Bach (1773) ; King Frederick's recollection of Bach's visit / G. van Swieten (1774) ; On four-part writing / J. P. Kirnberger (1774) ; Kirnberger on Bach's method of tuning / Marpurg (1776) ; The invention of the viola pomposa / J. N. Forkel (1782) ; J. S. Bach and C. P. E. Bach, a critical hypothesis / C. F. Abel (1787) ; Handel and Bach as fugue writers / Charles Burney (1789) ; Bach composing away from the instrument / E. L. Gerber (1791) ; Bach's pedal technique / E. L. Gerber (1791) ; The education of a Bach pupil / E. L. Gerber (1791) ; Bach judged at the distance of half a century / J. F. Reichardt (1796) ; A reminiscence by the last of Bach's pupils / J. C. Kittel (1808) -- The "Art of the fugue". Preface to the 1752 edition / F. W. Marpurg (1752) ; A note / Johann Mattheson (1752) ; The plates are offered for sale / C. P. E. Bach (1756) -- The four-part chorales. Foreword to the first editions / C. P. E. Bach (1765) ; An advertisement: note to the public / C. P. E. Bach (1769) ; Excerpts from letters. C. P. E. Bach to J. P. Kirnberger (1769) ; J. P. Kirnberger to J. G. I. Breitkopf (1777-1783) -- Foreword to the second edition / C. P. E. Bach (1784) -- Letters from C. P. E. Bach to Forkel. On portraits of J. S. Bach (1774) ; On Bach's personal and artistic traits (1774) ; In answer to questions about Bach (1775) -- Bach and Handel, a comparison / C. P. E. Bach -- Anecdotes. Bach and the herrings ; The unknown organist ; A strange accomplishment ; Bach compliments Silbermann ; Bach teases Silbermann ; Bach warming up ; The musical beggars ; The unresolved dissonance ; Bach and the bungler ; Bach replies to compliments on his organ playing ; A maxim ; The linen draper and the portrait of Bach ; Johann Christian and Philipp Emanuel -- Section six. On Johann Sebastian Bach's life an works / J. N. Forkel (1802). The Bach family ; Bach's life ; Bach the clavier player ; Bach the organist ; Bach's harmony ; Bach's melody ; Bach the teacher ; Bach's character ; Bach's works. Engraved works ; Unpublished works. Clavier pieces ; Pieces for clavier with the accompaniment of other instruments ; Organ pieces ; Instrumental pieces ; Vocal compositions -- Bach the reviser of his own works ; The spirit of Bach -- Section seven. The rediscovery of Bach. The story of his fame. Bach in eclipse ; Mozart ; Beethoven ; Czerny ; Rochlitz ; Wesley and Horn ; Goethe and Zelter ; Mendelssohn ; Schumann ; The Bach-Gesellschaft ; Berlioz ; Nietzsche ; Wagner ; Spitta ; Bach's music today -- Mendelssohn's revival of the St. Matthew Passion (1829): as recalled by Eduard Devrient (1869) -- Appendix. Bach on thorough-bass realization. Some most necessary rules of thorough-bass by J. S. B. (1725) ; The precepts and principles of Mr. Johann Sebastian Bach for playing a thorough bass (1738). Brief instruction in the so-called thorough bass ; Principles of four-part playing (sequences) ; The clausulae finales (cadences) most in use -- Solutions of Bach's canons. |
| Local note | Little-84404--305130039009X |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 408-419) and index. |
| LCCN | 66010768 |