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Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
| "In his last years he [JSB] esteemed highly:
Fux,
Caldara,
Handel,
Keiser,
Hasse, both
Grauns,
Telemann,
Zelenka,
[Franz] Benda,
and in general everything that was particularly esteemed in
Berlin and Dresden." The Letters of C.P.E. Bach, letter
dated 13 January 1775. |
Links
NewOlde.com -
Sigiswald Kuijken's Bach Project
Earliest Music Manuscripts by Johann Sebastian Bach Discovered. Bach-Archiv
Leipzig, August 2006. At the Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek, Weimar.
Johann
Sebastian Bach's Tuning by Dr. Bradley P. Lehman - worked out from the
border decoration in Bach's main copy of the Well-Tempered Clavier. [Outline
with links to 7 pdf files][Recordings]
Summary:
- 1/6 comma fifths F-C-G-D-A-E
- pure fifths E-B-F#-C#
- 1/12 comma fifths C#-G#-D#-A#
- 1/12 comma wide fifth resulting at A#-F
Bach
Bibliography
J.S. Bach
American Bach
Society - recent newsletters are online
Bach Network UK
Bach Portal
Bach 101
- from the Bach Choir of Bethlehem website
Bach-Archiv Leipzig
Bach Cantatas -
includes discographies for all the Bach cantatas and the
complete BGA
edition of Bach cantata scores in pdf.
Johann Sebastian Bach Catalogue BWV
Diskographie der Werke Johann Sebastian Bach & der Bach-Familie - with news
of recently discovered or identified works.
J.S.
Bach's Ornament Table
J.S. Bach on Shoulder-violoncello by Dmitry Badiarov. Bach's six suites for
violoncello probably were composed for the violoncello da spalla and intended
for the person who performed the sonatas and partitas for solo violin. Mr.
Badiarov built the first modern violoncello da spalla for Sigiswald Kuijken (photo
with instrument), who will be performing the Bach suites in Dorking, UK (and
perhaps elsewhere) in 2007.
Sigiswald Kuijken discusses the violoncello da spalla in an interview with
Brian Robins for Goldberg.
Recent Recordings
| J.S. Bach. Matthew Passion. Bach's last
performing version c. 1742. Linn CKD313 (2 CDs, March 2008).
Sleeve notes & downloadable studio master. John Butt,
Dunedin Consort & Players. (Original vocal forces &
instrumentation.) Evangelist: Nicholas Mulroy, tenor; Jesus:
Matthew Brook, bass; Susan Hamilton, soprano; Cecilia Osmond,
soprano; Clare Wilkinson, contralto; Annie Gill, contralto;
Malcom Bennett, tenor; Brian Bannatyne-Scott, bass.
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| J.S. Bach. Cantatas for the complete
liturgical year, volume VI. Accent ACC 25306 (1 CD, February
2008). Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande. Siri Thornhill,
soprano; Petra Noskaiová, contralto; Marcus Ullmann, tenor; Jan
van der Crabben, bass. Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel
fällt BWV 18; Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn BWV 23; Wie schön
leuchtet der Morgenstern BWV 1.
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| J.S. Bach. Latin Church Music Vol. 1.
Challenge Classics CC 72188 (2 CDs, February 2008). Ton Koopman,
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir. Missa in F BWV 233; Missa
in G BWV 235; Magnificat BWV 243; Missa in A BWV 234; Gloria in
excelcis Deo BWV 191; Missa in G BWV 236; Sanctus BWV 232.
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JP |
J.S.
Bach. Das Wohltemperierte Clavier Vol. 1. Harmonia Mundi
HMU 907431/32 (2 CDs, October 2007). Richard Egarr, harpsichord
by Joel Katzman after Ruckers 1638, tuned in the temperament
worked out by Bradley Lehman from the border decoration on
Bach's text.
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| J.S. Bach. Cantatas. Channel Classics
CCS SA 23807 (1 CD, September 2007). Johannette Zomer, soprano;
Florilegium. Contents: Mein Herz Schwimmt im Blut BWV 199; Ich
habe genug BWV 82a; Sinfonia from BWV 146; Overture No. 2 in B
minor BWV 1067.
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| J.S. Bach. Tombeau de Sa Majesté la Reine de
Pologne. Mirare MIR 030 (1 CD, April 2007).
Details. Philippe Pierlot, Ricercar Consort. Katherine Fuge,
soprano; Carlos Mena, countertenor; Jan Kobow, tenor; Stephan
MacLeod, bass; Francis Jacob, organ.
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JP |
J.S.
Bach. Cantatas for the complete liturgical year, volume V:
Geist und Selle wird verwirret. Accent ACC 25305 (1 CD,
April 2007). Sigiswald Kuijken, La Petite Bande. Gerlinde Sämann,
soprano; Petra Noskaiová, contralto; Jan Kobow, tenor; Dominik
Wörner, baritone; Ewald Demeyere, organ solo (BWV 35). Siehe zu,
dass deien Gottesfurcht nicht Heuchelei sei, BWV 179 - 11th
Sunday after Trinity; Geist und Selle wird verwirret, BWV 35 -
12th Sunday after Trinity; Ihr, die ihr euch von Christo nennet,
BWV 164 - 13th Sunday after Trinity; Wer Dank opfert, der
preiset mich, BWV 17 - 14th Sunday after Trinity.
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| J.S. Bach. Early Cantatas, volume 2: Weimar
Cantatas. Chandos CHAN 0742 (1 CD, May 2007). Emma Kirkby,
soprano; Michael Chance, countertenor; Charles Daniels, tenor;
Peter Harvey, baritone. Purcell Quartet. After a 2-year lapse,
this OVPP series continues.
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| J.S. Bach. Suites for Lute, volume 1.
Harmonia Mundi HMU907348 (1 CD, August 2007). Paul O'Dette,
lute.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach, arranged by Robert Schumann.
Johannes-Passion. cpo 777 091-2 (2 CDs, May 2007). Hermann
Max, Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert. Veronika Winter,
soprano; Elisabeth Scholl, soprano; Gerhild Romberger,
contralto; Jan Kobow, tenor; Ekkehard Abele, bass; Clemens
Heidrich, bass.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Missae Breves BWV 233-236.
Harmonia Mundi HMC 901939/40 (2 CDs, May 2007).
Details. Konrad Junghänel, Cantus Cölln.
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| J.S. Bach. Clavier Sonaten mit obligater
Violine. Ambronay (2 CDs, February 2007). Mira Glodeanu,
violin; Frédéric Haas, harpsichord.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Cantatas Vol. 3: Saint- Michel.
Atma Classique SACD 22402 (1 CD, November 2006).
Details. Cantatas BWV 147, 82 & 1. Third volume in the new
OVPP complete Bach cantatas project expected to take 15 years.
Eric Milnes, Montréal Baroque. Monika Mauch, soprano; Matthew
White, countertenor; Charles Daniels, tenor; Stephen MacLeod,
bass.
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| J.S. Bach. Sonatas for Violin and
Harpsichord. Ambroisie AMB 109 (2 CDs, November 2006).
Stefano Montanari, violin; Christophe Rousset, harpsichord.
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JP |
J.S.
Bach. Bach Edition: Complete Works. Brilliant Classics
93102 (155 CDs, August 2006).
Track List |
Review of the earlier 160-CD version. This is a
predominantly HIP compilation of reissues that includes
Leusink's cantatas on 60 CDs, complete harpsichord works by
Belder, Dirksen, van Asperen, Wuyts, Payne, van Delft and Berben
on 23 CDs, complete organ works by Fagius on 17 CDs, plus 23 CDs
of orchestral and chamber music and 32 CDs of passion oratorios
and other vocal works. 9 CDs from the earlier version have been
replaced with recordings by Musica Amphion, La Stravaganza Köln,
ter Linden, and others. Includes a CD-ROM with 388 pages of
texts, notes and translations in pdf format.
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JP |
Emma
Kirkby in Australia. ABC Classics 476 5255 (1 CD 2006).
Details. J.S. Bach, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen BWV 51;
William Hayes, final aria and chorus from The Passions
(Oxford c.1750); Handel, Laudate pueri Dominum HWV 237;
Vivaldi, Magnificat RV 610. Emma Kirkby, soprano;
Cantillation & Orchestra of the Antipodes, Antony Walker,
director.
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| J.S. Bach. Harpsichord Works. Decca (4
CDs). Christophe Rousset. Reissue of recordings from the 1990s.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Cantatas Vol. 2: Saint- Michel.
Atma Classique SACD 22401 (1 CD, September 2005).
Details. Cantatas BWV 19, 130, 149. Eric Milnes, Montréal
Baroque. Monika Mauch, soprano; David D.Q. Lee, countertenor;
Jan Kobow, tenor; Stephen MacLeod, bass.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. 6 Suites a Violoncello Solo senza
Basso. dhm 82876697672 (2 CDs, August 2005). Hidemi Suzuki,
cello (Amati 1570).
Details. This is a new recording. Suzuki's earlier recording
was re-released on dhm's Splendeurs label in 2004.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Cantatas Vol. 1: Saint-Jean-Baptiste.
Atma Classique SACD 22400 (1 CD, June 2005).
Details. Cantatas BWV 7, 30, 167. Eric Milnes, Montréal
Baroque. Suzie LeBlanc, soprano; Daniel Taylor, countertenor;
Charles Daniels, tenor; Stephen MacLeod, bass.
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| J.S. Bach. Klavierbüchlein für Wilhelm
Friedemann. Ambroisie ABM 9977 (2 CDs, April 2005).
Christophe Rousset, harpsichord.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Toccatas BWV 910-916. Zig-Zag
Territoires ZZT 050501 (1 CD, April 2005). Blandine Rannou,
harpsichord.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. St. John Passion. Channel
Classics CCS SA 22005 (2 CDs 2005). Jos van Veldhoven, The
Netherlands Bach Society. Caroline Stam & Marjon Strijk,
sopranos; Peter de Groot, countertenor; Marleene Goldstein &
Elsbeth Gerritsen, contraltos; Evangelist: Gerd Türk, tenor;
Simon Wall, tenor; Jesus: Stephen MacLeod, bass; Bas Ramselaar,
bass.
Favorable review by Johan Van Veen. This is a one-to-a-part
recording of the original 1724 version, as reconstructed by
Pieter Dirksen.
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Early Cantatas, volume 1.
Chandos CHAN 0715 (1 CD, February 2005). Emma Kirkby, soprano;
Michael Chance, countertenor; Charles Daniels, tenor; Peter
Harvey, baritone. Purcell Quartet. BWV 4, 106, 131 & 196. The
first of a new one-to-a-part series.
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JP |
| Johann Sebastian Bach. Suites Françaises.
Ambroisie AMB 9960 (2 CDs, September 2004). Christophe Rousset,
harpsichord.
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JP |
J.S.
Bach. The Secret Bach - Works for Clavichord. Metronome
MET CD 1056 (1 CD 2004).
Track listing. Christopher Hogwood, clavichord. Reviewed by
John Butt in Early Music Review 101:28 (June 2004).
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JP |
| J.S. Bach. Unaccompanied Cello Suites and
Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord. Arcana A421 (3
CDs, March 2004). Wieland Kuijken, cello and viola da gamba;
Piet Kuijken, harpsichord.
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UK |
DE |
Johann
Sebastian Bach. Suites Anglaises. Ambroisie AMB 9942 (2
CDs 2003). Christophe Rousset, Neuchâtel Ruckers harpsichord.
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CA |
Johann
Sebastian Bach. Mass in b minor. Harmonia Mundi HMC
801813/14 (2 SACDs) & HMC 901813/14 (2 CDs 2003).
Discussion on bach-cantatas.com. Konrad Junghänel,
Cantus Cölln.
Johanna Koslowsky, Mechthild Bach & Monika Mauch, sopranos;
Elisabeth Popien, alto; Henning Voss, countertenor; Hans-Jörg
Mammel & Wilfried Jochens, tenors; Stephan Schreckenberger &
Wolf-Matthias Friedrich, basses. Andrew Parrott's 1984 version,
the benchmark for historic forces recordings, has finally been
surpassed at least in some respects. While there is sure to be
disagreement over voices and tempos, it is indisputable that the
quality of early instrument performance has improved
dramatically over 20 years, as a comparison of the two
recordings will confirm. SACD:
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JP || CD:
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| Johann Sebastian Bach. St. Matthew Passion.
DG-Archiv 472 200-2 (2 CDs, April 2003). Paul McCreesh, Gabrieli
Players. I: Deborah York, Magdalena Kožená, Mark Padmore, Peter
Harvey; II: Julia Gooding, Susan Bickley, James Gilchrist,
Stephan Loges; Ulla Munch, ripieno soprano. Landmark recording,
using minimal vocal forces (9 singers) and proper organs -- two
new instruments by Marcussen in Roskilde Cathedral. Favorably
reviewed by Clifford Bartlett in Early Music Review
90:20-21 (May 2003)(online
- scroll to bottom of page): "The most notable feature . . .
is the relationship of voice and instruments in the arias: I'm
not degrading the importance of the conductor by saying that
they sound as if he isn't there and that the musicians are
making chamber music."
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UK |
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| Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Christoph Bach,
Johann Michael Bach, Georg Christoph Bach. Altbachisches
Archiv. (Archive of the Elder Bachs.) Harmonia Mundi HMC
901783/4 (2 CDs, April 2003). Konrad Junghänel, Cantus Cölln,
Concerto Palatino. Some overlap with the superb Cantus Cölln
Bach family CD on dhm, ie the motet "Ich lasse dich nicht", now
established to have been composed by JS Bach.
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| J.S. Bach. Oeuvres pour clavecin-pédalier.
Alpha 027 (1 CD, 2002).
Details. Yves Rechsteiner. Pedal harpsichord by Nicholas
Macheret of Progens, Switzerland after Harass. 8'8'4' + 2x16'8'
pedal.
Article by Yves Rechstiner about his pedal harpsichord with
photos.
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| Johann Sebastian Bach. Suites Anglaises.
Zig-Zag
Territoires ZZT0304012 (2 CDs, April 2003). Blandine Rannou,
harpsichord.
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CA |
| Johann Sebastian Bach. Suites Françaises.
Zig-Zag Territoires ZZT0204012 (2 CDs 2002). Blandine Rannou,
harpsichord.
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CA |
| Johann Sebastian Bach. The Well-Tempered
Clavier, Book I. Mirare 9930 (2 CDs 2002). Pierre Hantaï,
harpsichord.
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Recommended Recordings
| Johann Sebastian Bach. Goldberg Variations.
Pierre Hantaï, harpsichord by Bruce Kennedy after Mietke. Opus
111 OPS 30-84 (1 CD 1993).
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UK |
DE |
FR
Reissued on OP 2024 (2000).
US |
UK |
DE.
Reissued as the score to the film Stupeur et tremblements.
Naïve K1616 (2003).
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UK |
DE |
FR |
CA |
J.S. Bach. Trauer-Ode, Motets. Andrew Parrott. Emily Van Evera, Bommer,
Trevor, Daniels, Hilz. Sony SK 60155. Andrew Parrott and the record companies
who have issued his recordings are to be commended for standing up to the
dominant, vested interests who have for the most part successfully suppressed
historically-inspired performances of Bach's choral music.
J.S. Bach. Aufs Lautenwerk. Dorian DIS-80126. Kim Heindel playing a
Willard Martin lautenwerk (lute-harpsichord). No gut-strung harpsichords
survived to the 20th Century, but J.S. Bach is known to have owned at least one.
J.S. Bach. Well-Tempered Clavier, Books 1: EMI Reflexe CDS 7 49568 2
(2 CDs). Book 2: EMI Reflexe CDS 7 49727 2 (2 CDs). Bob van Asperen. 1728 Zell
harpsichord.
J.S. Bach. Cantatas BMV 51, 82a, 199. Virgin 7243 5 45038 2 5. Monica
Hugett. Nancy Argenta, Steele-Perkins, Beznosiuk, Goodwin. (1994).
More will be added as time permits.
Books
| Gregory G. Butler, George B. Stauffer & Mary
Dalton Green (eds.) About Bach.
Details. University of Illinois Press, August 2008. 200
pages.
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JP |
| Gregory G. Butler (ed.) Bach Perspectives,
volume 7: J.S. Bach's Concerted Ensemble Music, The Concerto.
Details. University of Illinois Press, January 2008. 136
pages.
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UK |
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FR |
CA |
JP |
| Gregory G. Butler (ed.) Bach Perspectives,
volume 6: J.S. Bach's Concerted Ensemble Music, The Ouverture.
Details. University of Illinois Press 2007. 216 pages.
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UK |
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JP |
| Carol K. Baron. Bach's Changing World.
376 pages. Favorably reviewed by Clifford Barlett in Early
Music Review 114: 20-21 (August 2006): "a marvelous account
of the Leipzig ... in which Bach lived and worked". University
of Rochester Press 2006.
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JP |
| Richard Jones. The Creative Development of
Johann Sebastian Bach: Music to Delight the Spirit, 1695-1717.
Volume 1.
Details. Oxford University Press 2006. 400 pages.
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JP |
| Alfred Dürr. Translated by Richard Jones.
The Cantatas of J.S. Bach. Oxford University Press (June
2005). 984 pages.
Details. A work-by-work commentary on the Bach cantatas. It
includes all the cantata librettos in German-English parallel
text. The most recent (sixth) German edition appeared in 1995.
For the English edition the text has been carefully revised to
bring it up to date, taking account of Bach scholarship since
that date.
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DE |
FR - lowest price as of 25 Aug |
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JP |
| Ulrich Prinz. Das Instrumentarium von Johann
Sebastian Bach. 701 pages. Bärenreiter 2005. Reviewed by
Brian Clark in Early Music Review 107:28-29 (June 2005),
who wrote: ". . . it works through every instrument ever used by
the composer, attempting to give all the information one might
ever want: the title (and BWV number) of the work, the movements
in which the instrument jis used, what key the work is in, what
transposition if any is used, the range of the piece. It
also lists Bach's players and instrument makers with whom they
would have been familiar (and often gives information on
surviving originals)."
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JP |
| Anne Leahy & Yo Tomita (eds.) Bach Studies
from Dublin: Selected papers presented at the 9th biennial
conference on Baroque music, held at Trinity College, Dublin
from 12th to 16th July 2000. From Clifford Bartlett's review in
EMR 103:23-24 (October 2004): "There are three items of
specific interest to performers. The most specific is J. Drew
Stephen on Bach's horn parts and how his players dealt with the
11th and 13th harmonics (F and A). Hand stopping seems not to
have been introduced until the end of Bach's lifetime; similarly
the use of nodal vents. Letting the notes sound at the 'natural'
pitch (as in Britten's Serenade) is rejected, so we are
left with the need to lip them into pitch." 270 pages. Four
Courts Press, 2004.
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UK |
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CA |
JP |
| Peter Williams. The Organ Music of J.S.
Bach. 634 pages. Cambridge University Press. (2d ed. 2004).
US |
UK |
| Peter Williams. The Life of Bach. 228
pages. Cambridge University Press 2003.
US |
UK |
| Andrew Parrott. The Essential Bach Choir.
Boydell & Brewer 2000. 240 pages. Parrott demonstrates
convincingly that a historically-informed performance of a Bach
cantata will use one performer per part.
US |
UK |
| David Ledbetter. Bach's Well-Tempered
Clavier: The 48 Preludes and Fugues. Yale University Press,
2002. 352 pages.
US |
UK |
| David G. Yearsley. Bach and the Meaning of
Counterpoint. Cambridge University Press, 2002. 275 pages.
US |
UK |
| Meredith Little & Natalie Jenne. Dance and
the Music of J.S. Bach: Expanded Edition. 288 pages. Indiana
U. Press, 2002.
US |
UK |
| Mathew Dirst. Bach as Musical Icon.
Cambridge University Press. Forthcoming 2004.
US |
| Joel Speerstra. Bach and the Pedal
Clavichord. University of Rochester Press. November 2003.
280 pages. ISBN: 1580461352. |
| Peter Williams (ed.) Bach Handel Scarlatti -
Tercentenary Essays. 363 pages. Cambridge University Press
1985. Contents include: Aria and Ritornello: The Mietkes, the
Margrave and Bach by Sheridan Germann; Did J.S. Bach Compose the
f Minor Prelude and Fugue BWV 534? [No] by David Humphreys; In
Search of Bach the Organist by Peter le Huray and John Butt;
Tempo and Dynamic Indications in the Bach Sources: A Review of
the Terminology by Robert Marshall; New Aspects of the
Comparison Handel/Bach by Paul Brainard; Muzio Clemente as an
Original Advocate, Collector and Performer, in Particular of J.S.
Bach and D. Scarlatti, by Stephen Daw; The 'Dotted Style' in
Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti by David Fuller; Reconstructing the
Lost Keyboard Notebooks of the Young Bach and Handel by Robert
Hill; Keyboard Technique and Articulation: Evidence for the
Performance Practices of Bach, Handel and Scarlatti by Mark
Lindley; Bach, Handel, D. Scarlatti and the Toccata of the Late
Baroque by Giorgio Pestelli; and Figurae in the Keyboard Works
of Scarlatti, Handel and Bach: An Introduction, by Peter
Williams.
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www.newolde.com/js_bach.htm
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