Johann Sebastian Bach: His Life, Art, and Work

This translation brings Johann Nikolaus Forkel’s pioneering 19th‑century portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach to life for modern ears. Drawing on the scholar’s own notes and a wealth of contemporary illustrations, the book paints a vivid picture of the composer’s world—from the modest homes of Eisenach to the bustling church of St. Thomas in Leipzig. Listeners will discover how Forkel’s early admiration helped shape the reverence Bach commands today.

Beyond the music, the work follows Forkel’s own remarkable journey from a shoemaker’s son in a tiny Saxe‑Coburg village to a respected university director and music critic. His tireless search for Bach’s scattered manuscripts and his advocacy for serious music education reveal a man as dedicated to preserving art as he was to creating it. The narrative offers a rich, human context that makes the genius of Bach feel both accessible and profoundly inspiring.