The New Bach Reader: A Life of Johann Sebastian Bach in Letters and Documents

by Hans T. David (Editor), Christoph Wolff (Editor), Arthur Mendel (Editor)

Enter the world of Johann Sebastian Bach through this illuminating collection of readings.

The New Bach Reader reveals the life and career of Bach through hundreds of letters, family papers, anecdotes, and records relating to his personal and professional life. The original Bach Reader, edited by the late Hans T. David and Arthur Mendel in 1945, established a new approach to biography by offering original documents in impeccable translations. In The New Bach Reader, Christoph Wolff of Harvard University has incorporated numerous facsimiles and added many newly discovered items. Taken together, the readings in this volume provide music lovers with a fascinating, almost firsthand account of the composer and his environment.

Genres: Music, Biography, History, Nonfiction

551 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jack Laschenski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book! 2 full biographies of Bach, plus all his letters and contracts, appraisals by his contemporaries and the history of his resurrection in the 19th cnetury.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a compendium of original documents by or relating to Johann Sebastian Bach. It is very complete and full of often interesting details. The editors have compiled everything to salary agreements, receipts for payment, and all sorts of correspondence. Admittedly, some of it can be a little tedious, but most of it is pretty interesting. At its best, this book provides lots of cool insights into the events of Bach's life, spanning both his routine work and his major milestones. I especially enjoyed all the recommendation letters Bach wrote for his students; some things haven't changed.

[Richard Pohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply the basic resource for any Bachian scholar - contains over five hundred pages of mostly authentic material, drawing an accurate picture of what the Baroque Master experienced during his hard yet fruitful musical journey. Includes also an extensive report of various accounts of Bachs contemporaries and followers concerning his legacy. Surely a volume to which I shall be returning to very often, and not only for the sake of my lectures. Indispensable by all means.

[Bob Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the primary documentation included in this book. Lots of interesting details about Bach and the musical world around him.

[J]

Finally started and finished a book that I received from John years back. Not exactly the most exciting collection of writings and documents (editors really weren't joking when they said that most of the stuff found were pretty much related to working out jobs and stuff…), but it's an interesting look into Bach's life.

Conclusion: I don't think I would ever want Bach as a teacher.

[Dorothy Caimano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to read the actual documents. I do need the editors' notes, however to understand some of this. And perhaps I'd better make up a score card to keep all the Bachs and all the Johanns straight. Ayayay! Did everyone name one or more of their children Johann in 17th century Germany?

[Hans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like a printed Bach wikipedia but with more personality.