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Johann Sebastian Bach.
This is a basic, one-volume study of Johann Sebastian Bach, the first important work on the great composer in nearly a generation. The many discoveries about Bach's life and music that have occurred in the postwar years have created the need for a new interpretive study incorporating this research. Professor Geiringer has filled this need. His book is the only volume which incorporates the vast amount of new material uncovered since 1950, the bicentennial of Bach's death.
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 31, 2015
A nice introduction, for non-professionals, to the life & works of the great Kapellmeister. The style of the "Life" part is very clear, perhaps dry but nonetheless involving. Geiringer describes Bach's virtues and vices, avoiding any hagiographic temptation. The German version also includes many documents of the era in original language, which add flavour to the biography (alas, no idea if also the earlier American edition contains these).
The "Works" part gives an overview of the production of Johann Sebastian, allowing to get a grasp of how immense and versatile his talent was. In "only" 400 pages there is no opportunity for deep analyses; still, Geiringer dedicates space (from one paragraph to some pages) to the most representative works of each category, describing their basic traits and sometimes showing brief score excerpts to better illustrate their characteristics. While such presentations can only work as a first acquaitance with the pieces, they nonetheless succeed in arousing the curiosity of the reader, leaving him the desire to actually listen to them.
In conclusion, as a Bach amateur, I found the book very stimulating, and I think the size of the book is perfect for a relatively agile, but not superficial, presentation of this great composer.
The "Works" part gives an overview of the production of Johann Sebastian, allowing to get a grasp of how immense and versatile his talent was. In "only" 400 pages there is no opportunity for deep analyses; still, Geiringer dedicates space (from one paragraph to some pages) to the most representative works of each category, describing their basic traits and sometimes showing brief score excerpts to better illustrate their characteristics. While such presentations can only work as a first acquaitance with the pieces, they nonetheless succeed in arousing the curiosity of the reader, leaving him the desire to actually listen to them.
In conclusion, as a Bach amateur, I found the book very stimulating, and I think the size of the book is perfect for a relatively agile, but not superficial, presentation of this great composer.
December 25, 2007
This functions more as a brief biography of Bach as an introduction to his music; it's not a very engaging read.
March 18, 2023
An excellent biography of J. S. Bach.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews