Johann Sebastian Bach, born in 1685 into a family of musicians, was orphaned at age ten and received most of his keyboard training from his older brother, Johann Christoph.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Bach never received formal academic training in composition, instead acquiring his knowledge of counterpoint and harmony by studying the works of other composers, including German, Italian, and French masters.
Composition History
The Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, BWV 903, may have been written by Bach to showcase a magnificent two-manual harpsichord by Michael Mietke that he brought to the court of Cöthen in 1719.
Compositional Technique
Bach occasionally embedded his own name, B-A-C-H, as a melody in his work, using German music notation where B-flat is 'B' and B-natural is 'H'.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The Musical Offering was designed to impress Frederick the Great, one of Europe's most powerful rulers and a patron of science and learning in Enlightenment Germany, by being both stylish and scholarly.
Composition History
The Musical Offering, published in 1747, was created after Bach's visit to Frederick the Great's court, where the King gave Bach a theme on which to improvise.
Performer Biography
Hank Knox, the harpsichordist on this album, is a founding member of the Arion Ensemble and performs regularly with Tafelmusik and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
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J.S. Bach: Keyboard Works
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Bach, J.S.: Harpsichord Works - Suites, Bwv 818A, 823 / 4 Duets / Fantasia On A Rondo / Preludes / Sonata
