J. S. Bach: His Life and Times

by Tim Dowley

A new and fascinating biography of the most outstanding composer in musical history. Covering Bach's earliest efforst in Eisenach, his cultural inheritance, his series of posts as organist or musician, and his stormy career in Leipzig, The Illustrated Lives of the Great Composers traces the significant stages of development in his family and his music.

Genres: Music, Biography

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Tim Dowley (Ph.D. in church history, University of Manchester) has been at the forefront of writing and editing for a new generation of resources on biblical studies and church history.

Reviews

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent study!

[Rose Vines · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, readable account of Bach’s life

This short account of Bach’s life balances his day-to-day working life with limited detail about the works he wrote at each point. Bach had a rocky relationship with many of his employers, a focus of much of this book. It’s fascinating to read the many contemporary snippets included, and wonderful to read CPE Bach’s eulogising of his father.

[Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uit dit boek komt Bach naar voren als een compromisloos figuur en niet één van de aardigste. Dat doet niets af aan mijn liefde voor zijn vele werken. Dowley schrijft alles vrij droog op, en het enige ontroerende moment voor mij staat op p. 134 waarin Beethoven in of iets na 1800 zelf een extra inzameling organiseert voor Regina Susanna, het toen enige nog levende kind van Sebastian Bach. De autoriteiten hebben de nazaten van Bach niet erg gul bedeeld. Harde tijden.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a well-written and easy way to learn more about the life of Johann Sebastian Bach.