Johann Sebastian Bach

audiobook

Johann Sebastian Bach

by Ludwig Ziemssen

EN·~2 hours·13 chapters

Chapters

13 total

Translator’s Preface

2:47

Johann Sebastian Bach - Chapter I A Friend in Need

12:57

Chapter II In the World

13:39

Chapter III The First Step to Fame

18:14

Chapter IV The New Life

19:51

Chapter V A Musical Tournament

17:30

Chapter VI Life and Work in Leipsic

17:51

Chapter VII “He shall stand before Kings”

24:56

Chapter VIII The Last of Earth

5:49

Appendix

1:03

Description

Through the eyes of a young, grieving musician, this biography follows the early years of one of history’s greatest composers. It paints a vivid picture of a humble organist whose relentless work ethic and deep faith shaped a body of music that still defines the Western canon. Readers see how his responsibilities as a father, a citizen, and a devout church servant intertwined with his relentless pursuit of artistic perfection. The narrative underscores how his modest upbringing and unpretentious character forged a legacy that inspired later masters and continues to guide aspiring artists today.

In the opening scene, a teenage Bach sits on a stone step, tears flowing as the funeral music of his brother swells around him. A compassionate friend arrives, offering comfort and a comment about the poorly played violin, revealing both the boy’s sensitivity and the supportive community around him. Their exchange, set against the melancholy strains of the organ, introduces the emotional depth that will fuel his future compositions. The story invites listeners to walk alongside him as he transforms personal loss into a lifelong devotion to music.

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Details

Language

en

Duration

~2 hours (145K characters)

Series

Life Stories for Young People

Publisher of text edition

Project Gutenberg

Credits

D A Alexander, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was made using scans of public domain works put online by Harvard University Library's Open Collections Program.)

Release date

Jul 2, 2021

Rights

Public domain in the USA.

About the author

Ludwig Ziemssen

Ludwig Ziemssen

1823–1895

A sharp-eyed 19th-century German writer and editor, he moved between teaching, journalism, and popular fiction with unusual ease. His work ranged from cultural novellas to practical writing for everyday readers, including a large number of articles on women’s fashion.

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