Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Map of Northern Germany in the time of J. S. Bach
- Map of Thuringia and Saxony in the time of J. S. Bach
- 1 Early years 1685–1703
- 2 First appointments 1703–8
- 3 Weimar 1708–17
- 4 Cöthen 1717–23
- 5 Leipzig, the first years
- 6 Leipzig, the middle years
- 7 Leipzig, the final years
- 8 Observations, descriptions, criticisms
- Epilogue
- Postscript
- Glossary
- List of references
- Index of works (BWV)
- Index of names
5 - Leipzig, the first years
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Map of Northern Germany in the time of J. S. Bach
- Map of Thuringia and Saxony in the time of J. S. Bach
- 1 Early years 1685–1703
- 2 First appointments 1703–8
- 3 Weimar 1708–17
- 4 Cöthen 1717–23
- 5 Leipzig, the first years
- 6 Leipzig, the middle years
- 7 Leipzig, the final years
- 8 Observations, descriptions, criticisms
- Epilogue
- Postscript
- Glossary
- List of references
- Index of works (BWV)
- Index of names
Summary
THE CALL TO LEIPZIG
The city of Leipzig elected our Bach in 1723 as its Music Director and Cantor at the St Thomas School. He followed this call, though leaving his gracious Prince unwillingly. Providence seemed to want him away from Cöthen before the death of the prince, which occurred soon after and against all expectation, so that he was at least no longer present at this sorrowful event. Nevertheless, he had the sad pleasure of preparing in Leipzig the burial Commital music [Leichenmusic] for his deeply beloved prince, and to direct its performance in Cöthen in person.
(Obituary)These are the Obituary's only sentences to refer openly to the city and its cantorate in Leipzig – which is not so surprising, in view of the difficulties that were to come and were witnessed by Emanuel as he grew up. Yet this was the job Bach held longest and in which he produced so many mature masterpieces. The contrast with the Obituary's earlier remarks on the Cöthen appointment, where his employer was said to be ‘a connoisseur and lover of music’ and where Bach performed ‘to his greatest satisfaction’, could hardly be missed by the reader: neither is claimed for the Leipzig position.
Three other absences from the Obituary's report are striking. The former cantor Kuhnau is not mentioned, as he had been in the earlier biography of Bach (Walther 1732, 64), and as Zachow had been at Halle (see above, p. 93).
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- J. S. BachA Life in Music, pp. 161 - 205Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007