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.

Regional Spotlight: Bach and Jazz
Paul Boehnke, the music director of the Bach Society of Minnesota, has an adventurous palate. "Take a sweet piece of fruit on one hand and it's sweet. Take a pungent cheese on the other and it's pungent. If you put the two together you get something brand new!" The Bach Society was joined by a team of well-known jazz musicians from the twin cities in a session at the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Studio to reprise a program titled: Bach and Jazz. Their sweet/pungent performances are in this week's Regional Spotlight.February 23, 2012
New Classical Tracks - Musical Speech: The Poetry of Bach and Schubert
Pianist Simone Dinnerstein's love of Bach is a constant. And on her latest recording, she once again returns to Bach's musical world. But this time, she also chose to include music by another of her favorite composers: Franz Schubert. The music she chose to record has a beautiful and very communicative quality, and she wanted those qualities to represented by the title of the new release: Something Almost Being Said.February 15, 2012
New Classical Tracks - Air, The Bach Album
On Anne Akiko Meyers' latest release, titled, "Air, A Bach Album," which celebrates the music of Bach, she experimented with a technique familiar to the world of popular music.February 8, 2012
SymphonyCast presents J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio
For the holiday, the first three parts of Johann Sebastian Bach's beloved Christmas Oratorio - from Dresden, where an annual performance of this inspired music is a treasured tradition. Tune in on Sunday, December 25 at 1:00 p.m. to hear this joyful work.December 23, 2011
SPCO Performs Bach's Brandenburg Concerti
This weekend, the SPCO will finish their cycle of Bach's Brandenburg Concerti. Listen to a performance from December 2007 by the SPCO.November 17, 2011
New Classical Tracks Encore - Bach's Oboe
In work after work, J. S. Bach gave wonderful solo parts to the oboe. On a new disc, those concertos are gathered together by a master soloist and musician, Heinz Holliger.October 25, 2011
New Classical Tracks - Murray Perahia: A Survey of Bach
Murray Perahia is one of the world's leading pianists, and his latest release gathers together all of his recordings by the composer who has meant more to him than perhaps any other: J. S. Bach.August 23, 2011
New Classical Tracks - Bach's Oboe
In work after work, J. S. Bach gave wonderful solo parts to the oboe. On a new disc, those concertos are gathered together by a master soloist and musician, Heinz Holliger.August 9, 2011
Bach's St. Matthew's Passion
It may be the greatest work in all of Western Music -- St. Matthew's Passion -- premiered Good Friday in 1727 and then entirely forgotten for 100 years until Mendelssohn revived it. Alison Young is your host this Good Friday at 10 a.m. of Bach's masterpiece. You can follow along with the original score online.April 21, 2011
Party on Saturday for Johann
Bach's Birthday is Monday and we celebrate all day this Saturday with a cycle of free hour-long concerts at five Saint Paul churches.March 18, 2011