The Eyes of Bach

by Marc Moskovitz

In the spring of 1750, cellist Carl Barth, a music student at Leipzig’s St. Thomas, is assigned to assist the school’s aging cantor, Johann Sebastian Bach. Though initially uncertain of his new role, Barth’s confidence and musicianship blossom under Bach’s tutelage. With each musical revelation, among them his accidental discovery of the missing manuscript of Bach’s cello suites, the young man becomes increasingly enamored of his master’s genius. But the arrival of a haughty English surgeon will irrevocably alter the existence of both teacher and student. When Bach dies after a supposedly routine operation intended to remedy his failing eyesight, Barth’s life trajectory is recast. Bereft of his musical mentor and haunted by events past, he sets out on a journey to confront the man he holds responsible for his master’s untimely passing, all the while persevering to honor Bach’s musical legacy.

In this gripping novel, cellist and author Marc Moskovitz transports the reader into the milieu of 18th-century Europe—its cobblestone streets, music-filled churches, and a vividly imagined Bach household—a world where the practice of medicine was often rudimentary, travel was arduous, and the works of J. S. Bach had yet to be universally discovered. Based on true events and rich in musical and historical detail, The Eyes of Bach is a sweeping tale of one man’s unrelenting search for truth.

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 2024

About the author

Marc Moskovitz maintains a varied career as both a professional cellist and author. In addition to serving as principal cellist of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, he performs regularly with the North Carolina Symphony.

An award-winning author, his books include Beethoven’s Cello and MEASURE: In Pursuit of Musical Time, which traces the history of musical timekeeping. He has written program notes for orchestras and opera houses on several continents and is a contributor to The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. His novel The Eyes of Bach, a work of historical fiction, was published in 2024.

Reviews

[Ellen Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Eyes of Bach by Marc Moskovitz is an extraordinary blend of historical fiction, musical passion, and human drama. From the very first pages, I was swept into the vivid world of 18th-century Leipzig, experiencing the final days of Johann Sebastian Bach through the eyes of Carl Friedrich Barth, his devoted student and assistant.

What truly sets this novel apart is the way it combines meticulous historical research with emotionally rich storytelling. The narrative brings both Bach the composer and Bach the man to life, not as a distant icon, but as a complex, vulnerable, and truly inspiring individual. Through Barth's perspective, readers witness not only Bach’s musical genius but also his struggles with blindness, his relationships with family and protégés, and his unwavering dedication to divine inspiration.

The heart of the novel, the fateful eye surgeries of the charlatan oculist John Taylor, gripped me with suspense and sadness. Moskovitz infuses these scenes with tension and compassion, making the historical tragedy deeply personal. Yet despite the gravity of Bach’s decline, the story never becomes bleak; it's also a narrative of artistic legacy, the quiet heroism of those who support greatness, and the lifelong hunt for truth and forgiveness.

Music lovers will treasure the rich descriptions of Bach’s creative process and the enlightening glimpses into the music world of his time, while general readers will relate to the universal themes of loss, conscience, and redemption. The prose is elegant, at times poetic, yet always accessible.

This book is a must for anyone interested in Bach, classical music, or historical fiction with real soul. It lingers in the mind long after the final page, a moving tribute to the power of art, the pain of regret, and the hope of healing. I highly recommend The Eyes of Bach to all seeking a deeply immersive and meaningful read.

[Catherine Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sublime. By relating the story from the vantage of an adolescent tutelage, Dr. Moskovitz avoids it becoming pedantic or unapproachable. Expecting to read only the tale of the protagonist, Herr Barth, and his ultimate encounter with the quack oculist, I found it delightful to explore Bach and his family at the Thomasschule in Leipzig, in Berlin and elsewhere. What emerges is a sympathetic portrait of the master musician and composer yet also one who was humble about his abilities and his life circumstances. We are indebted to the author for providing a description of Bach and his music that is at once poignant and powerful, making his genius palpable yet the man still somehow relatable.

Having pored over Marc Moskovitz's explanatory notes from ProMusica Orchestra performances over many years, I fully expected thorough and captivating descriptions of Bach's music and cellos and was not disappointed. Yet I was also happily surprised by the beautifully crafted ultimate encounter with the offending oculist, offering sophistication and complexity to the characters and appealing to our higher natures. Lovely.

[Sara Joy Tiberio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marc does a wonderful job of transporting you to the city of Liepzig and the world of famous German composer J.S. Bach during the 18th century. As a cellist, I especially appreciated this book and its detailed musical descriptions of Bach's work, but also found it to be a truly interesting take on the story of his death, which is mostly shrouded in mystery. I found myself so intrigued by the idea of life during a time where there was no cellphones or internet. A great read for anyone interested in historical fiction, classical music or just a moving read about a characters quest for resolution to a haunting inner conflict.

[Joel Becktell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Among the pleasures of reading this book is seeing J.S. Bach and other historical figures come to life, alongside characters that are fictional-but-probable creations of the author. The plot is a deft combination of historical fact, satisfying extrapolation, and imaginative creativity. Musicians, especially cellists, will appreciate the book's dramatic explanation of one of music history's nagging mysteries. It is a rare pleasure to spend reading hours in the presence of musical "heroes" whose lives are so much less-known than their works.

[Karen Tank · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and learned a lot! Clearly Marc Moskovitz did a great deal of research and his writing is beautiful.
I am a pianist and taught piano for many years so much of what I read was quite familiar to me. However this novel had an emotional center that was very moving. It is certainly a notch above many of the novels I've read recently and I would highly recommend it.

[Freya Samuels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is captivating! The subject matter, character development and eloquent writing is wonderful. It is obvious that Marc Moskovitz did extensive research to make the book historically accurate. You don't have to be a musician to fully appreciate The Eyes of Bach. If you are a cellist you'll find an extra special connection...Congratulations on this remarkable novel!

[Howard Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt I was transported back to Germany in the mid-18th century, being the proverbial fly on the wall, watching and listening to Bach and his apprentice during the last years of Bach life. Marc Moskovitz has done a marvelous job of crafting a wonderful work of historical fiction that had me thoroughly engaged from start to finish.

Bravo, Marc and encore!

[Lisa Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book for its historical purpose but I wanted to be drawn into the characters in a more emotionally deeper level . Both Bach and Carl are portrayed as “nice” people and I feel that Bach in particular would have been so much more complex as a person whose music has so many complexities .

[Jack L Hougate · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful read

As a big fan of Bach and also a cellist, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The Bach cello Suites are so special.