Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) came from an already well-known family of musicians, a fact easily forgotten given his titanic talent and extensive output. It wasn't enough for Johann Sebastian to master the art of counterpoint (how two or more notes interact); he found humorous, creative and innovative ways to create music in an era gridlocked with compositional rules and expectations. From the seemingly simple Inventions and Sinfonias to the size and depth of St. Matthew's Passion, Johann Sebastian's music still baffles, intrigues and impresses composers, performers and listeners. We are collecting music, coverage and news about Bach from around Classical MPR and our affiliated programs. Have a look (and listen) and enjoy.

Bach's Life and Work

Stories about Bach, and the music he created.

Learning to Listen: Bach's Brandenburg Concertos 4, 5 and 6
This week on Learning to Listen, we focus on Brandenburg Concertos 4, 5 and 6 by Johann Sebastian Bach. All of the Brandenburg Concertos are in major (i.e. happy) keys.October 7, 2013
Learning to Listen: Brandenburg Concertos
Today, we'll hear three of the six Brandenburg Concertos, written by Johann Sebastian Bach. The Brandenburg Concertos are excellent examples of music from the Baroque Era.September 30, 2013
Live Broadcast: National Lutheran Choir performs Bach's Mass in B Minor
Tune in on Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. to hear the National Lutheran Choir perform Bach's Mass in B Minor live from Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.March 21, 2013
Regional Spotlight - Yulianna Avdeeva
In this week's Regional Spotlight, Yulianna Avdeeva performs the Overture from the Partita in b minor by J.S. Bach from a Frederic Chopin Society recital this past May.August 16, 2012
Bach Playlist: The Brandenburgs
Bach wrote his six Brandenburg Concertos for the Margrave of Brandenburg, Christian Ludwig, possibly hoping to secure employment in the margrave's court. Lacking the necessary virtuosic players, the margrave never heard the concertos, and the manuscripts weren't published until 1850, one-hundred years after Bach's death.June 16, 2012
St. John Passion by J.S. Bach, as performed by the Bach Society of Minnesota
The Bach Society of Minnesota presented a performance of the St. John Passion, BWV 245, on March 24th, 2012 at St. Mary's Chapel at St. Paul Seminary. You can hear the St. John Passion in its entirety on Friday, April 6th, at 10 a.m.April 5, 2012
Harp, Not Harpsichord, in Bach's Sonatas
A new Bach disc combines violin with an instrument that Bach himself rarely used -- the harp. Its gradations of loud and soft add a new dimension to the performance of these pieces.April 3, 2012
Bach: Placing Timeless Music in Time - Part 2 of an Essay by Bill Morelock
For the anniversary of Bach's birth, even as we marvel at the unearthly nature of the music, we might stop and remember that Bach also had to earn a living. Here's how and where he earned a paycheck during the 45 years of his working life.March 20, 2012
Bach: Placing Timeless Music in Time - Part 1 of an Essay by Bill Morelock
For the anniversary of Bach's birth, even as we marvel at the unearthly nature of the music, we might stop and remember that Bach also had to earn a living. Here's how and where he earned a paycheck during the 45 years of his working life.March 19, 2012
"Before Bach's Birthday" Bash
Plan ahead to participate in the "Before Bach's Birthday" Bash on March 17, 2012, a sequence of five hour-long all-Bach performance events at four Minneapolis churches, featuring organists, pianists, singers and other instrumentalists in advance celebration of Johann Sebastian Bach's 327th Birthday (which comes on Wednesday, March 21)March 17, 2012