Johann Sebastian Bach

The Learned Musician

By: Christoph Wolff

Narrated by: John Pruden

Finalist for the 2001 Pulitzer Prize in Biography, this landmark book was revised in 2013 to include new knowledge discovered after its initial publication.

Although we have heard the music of J. S. Bach in countless performances and recordings, the composer himself still comes across only as an enigmatic figure in a single familiar portrait. As we mark the 250th anniversary of Bach's death, author Christoph Wolff presents a new picture that brings to life this towering figure of the Baroque era. This engaging new biography portrays Bach as the living, breathing, and sometimes imperfect human being that he was, while bringing to bear all the advances of the last half-century of Bach scholarship. Wolff demonstrates the intimate connection between the composer's life and his music, showing how Bach's superb inventiveness pervaded his career as musician, composer, performer, scholar, and teacher. And throughout, we see Bach in the broader context of his time: its institutions, traditions, and influences. With this highly listenable book, Wolff sets a new standard for Bach biography.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

(P)2019 Tantor

Sadly the terrible narration

Lots of factual and interesting information... but sadly couldnt finish the book. Narrator slaughtered so many words, it became too distracting. Not just German words, but musical terms and even Virgil!! im sure the text is excellent but gave up and got another book on Bach (same author different narration)

No pdf

There is supposed to be a PDF in the library with the book, but there is no PDF to be found.

Tiring

I love long biographies, but this book seems to be an exposition of the authors exactitude and ability in looking up minor details and fact checking suspicions. I understand this is a challenging element to telling Bach’s story, but leave them in a footnote somewhere for the footnote guys! A biography is see the story strained from the mud of details! I don’t recommend this as an audio book, it’s almost like listening to a phone book.

A must have for Bach scholars and enthusiasts.

An incredibly thorough essay. I believe that this book will continue to be the go-to volume in scholarly studies of the greatest composer of all time. Very clear and thoughtful narration.

Exhausting

Certainly comprehensive and no wonder it is 21 hours plus in length.
Unfortunately, in many parts and for mind numbing periods it is a collection of statistics being read out to the listener.
And then there is the pronunciation of the frequent essential german names, towns, etc., - just awful.
I am fluent in german but could not understand what the narrator was trying to articulate.
Gave up after 2 hours of listening.