Preface
Prologue: Bach and the Notion of Musical Science
1: Springs of Musical Talent and Lifelong Influences - Eisenach, 1685-1695
2: Laying the Foundation - Ohrduff, 1695-1700
3: Bypassing a Musical Apprenticeship - From Lüneberg to Weimar, 1700-1703
4: Building a Reputation - Organist in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen, 1703-1708
5: Exploring 'Every Possible Artistry' - Court Organist and Cammer Musicus in Weimar, 1708-1714
6: Expanding Musical Horizons - Concertmaster in Weimar, 1714-1717
7: Pursuing 'the Musical Contest for Superiority' - Capellmeister in Cöthen, 1717-1723
8: Redefining a Venerable Office - Cantor and Music Director in Leipzig: The 1720s
9: Musician and Scholar - Counterpoint of Practice and Theory
10: Traversing Conventional Boundaries - Special Engagements Highlight the 1730s
11: A Singing Bird and Carnations for the Lady of the House - Domestic and Professional Life
12: Contemplating Past, Present, and Future - The Final Decade: the 1740s
Epilogue: Bach and the idea of 'Musical Perfection'
Notes
Music Examples
Appendices:
Chronology
Money and Living Costs in Bach's Time
Movable and Fixed Feasts in the Lutheran Church Calendar
Bibliography
Index

Reviews

weighty and authorative work ... an important contribution to the Bach bibliography Hugh Canning, The Sunday Times, 16/4/00 marvellously detailed analysis ... Wolff recapitulates what is known about his subject's life in a lively style and deduces a great deal more by dint of diligent detective- work. Raymond Deane, Irish Times, 22/4/00

A leading Bach scholar, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard, offers a comprehensive biography in time for the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Table of Contents

Reviews