Johann Sebastian Bach: The Culmination of an Era

by Karl Geiringer

Book Overview

This basic, one-volume study of Johann Sebastian Bach combines a sensitive biographical sketch with a detailed analysis of each of his major types of composition, including vocal music, organ music, keyboard music, and instrumental music. In each section, Geiringer thoroughly examines many Bach compositions and evaluates them in relation to the rest of the composer's work, as well as in relation to the music of his contemporaries. More than seventy musical examples enable the reader to understand how Bach worked and to observe his music in various stages of completion. In addition, an interesting aspect of research methods is revealed through an explanation of the techniques used in studying handwriting, paper, and watermarks in the original sources.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195005546
• ISBN13: 9780195005547
• Release Date: December 1966
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

THE BOOK ON BACH...

This is THE book on Bach. Boyd's Bach is okay, but Karl Geiringer's Bach is better.

Fine biography of Bach's life and music

Karl Geiringer wrote compelling and informative biographies that are concise yet musically mature and insightful. This book is divided into two parts. The first third of the book (106 pages) is a narrative of Bach's life. Part II has a short essay on Bach's musical heritage that describes the musical resources and forms that were in force in Bach's time. Part III discusses the great composer's music by type rather than in chronological order. This helps us compare the various compositions in each genre and see the compositional choices Bach made and how he developed as a composer. This is a fine book for the general reader, student, or professional musician.