JS Bach; A Passionate Man

I have really enjoyed the two-part programme on the person Beethoven described as the ‘father of harmony’, JS Bach. Presented by John Elliot Gardiner, the conductor, it charts his life and the development of his music. It can be enjoyed on the BBC iPlayer. I particularly enjoyed Gardiner's summary:

“If Monteverdi was the first composer to find musical expression for human passion; Beethoven what a terrible struggle it is to be human and to aspire to be God-like; Mozart the kind of music we’d hope to hear in Heaven, Bach is the one who bridges the gap. He helps us to hear the voice of God in human form, ironing out the imperfections of humanity in the perfection of his music”

Though we now regard Bach as one of the greats, when he died in 1750 his music quickly fell out of popularity and was regarded as ‘old-fashioned’. Although Mozart, Beethoven, and Schumann admired his work, it was not until 1829 after Mendlessohn staged  a revival of the St Mathew Passion that he began to be appreciated again. One hundred years after his death, the Bach Gesellschaft (Bach Society) was formed and contributed greatly to re-establishing his reputation.

Among the gems is this piece, the Prelude in C Minor, played first by Bach himself in 1739 on this organ in this church. It is played here by an amazingly precocious 15 year old student from the Thomasschule, at which Bach was Cantor. It is 26 minutes into the programme http://bbc.in/12cPc1o I hope you enjoy it.