Peter Williams

J.S. Bach

• Gebundenes Buch

Produktbeschreibung

Peter Williams approaches afresh the life and music of arguably the most studied of all composers, interpreting both Bach's life by deconstructing his original obituary in the light of more recent information and his music by evaluating his priorities and irrepressible creative energy. How, even though belonging to musical families on both his parents' sides, did he come to possess so bewitching a sense of rhythm and melody and a mastery of harmony that established nothing less than a norm in Western culture? In considering that the works of a composer are his biography, the book's title A Life in Music means both a life spent making music and one revealed in the music as we know it. A distinguished scholar and performer, Williams re-examines Bach's life as an orphan and family man, as an extraordinarily gifted composer and player and as an ambitious artist who never suffered fools gladly.

Produktdetails

• Verlag: Cambridge University Press
• Seitenzahl: 418
• Erscheinungstermin: 12. Januar 2011
• Englisch
• Abmessung: 235mm x 157mm x 29mm
• Gewicht: 816g
• ISBN-13: 9780521870740
• ISBN-10: 0521870747
• Artikelnr.: 22474809

Autorenporträt

Peter Williams (1937-2016) held the first Chair in Performance Practice in Britain at the University of Edinburgh, where he was first Director of the Russell Collection of Harpsichords and latterly Dean of Music. He was also the first Arts and Sciences Distinguished Chair at Duke University, North Carolina. He authored many books, including The European Organ (1966), Bach: The Goldberg Variations (Cambridge, 2001), Figured Bass Accompaniment (1970), The Organ in Western Culture, 750-1250 (Cambridge, 1993), The Chromatic Fourth during Four Centuries of Music (1998) and The Organ Music of J. S. Bach (Cambridge, 2003).

Inhaltsangabe

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.

Rezensionen

'Peter Williams is a master of putting question marks where they belong. He is wise enough to admit that definite answers are rarely possible. Nevertheless, guided by the 1754 Obituary, he gives splendid food for thought with his penetrating insights and truly erudite suggestions.' Gustav Leonhardt

"Williams has created a well-rounded portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach that leavens erudition with entertaining turns of phrase.[...]Highly recommended for academic and music collections and for public libraries with a knowledgeable clientele." -- Library Journal