Jo-Michael Scheibe on What Makes Bach So Great

WHAT MAKES BACH SO GREAT?JO-MICHAEL SCHEIBE | USC THORNTON

STUDIERT BACH! DORT FINDET IHR ALLES. (STUDY BACH! THERE YOU’LL FIND EVERYTHING.)

- Johannes Brahms (1833-1897)

What’s the story behind Bach’s legacy? What influenced him, and

how has he influenced nearly every composer

in music since?

The young Bach secured his first job as a musician at the Weimar court at seventeen years old.

One year later, he moved to a post as organist at a church in Arnstadt.

His career progressed through a range of church appointments where he produced some the most unusual organ and vocal music of his time.

His music is multi-layered and difficult; it is thus challenging to perform. Bach’s work rewards

passion and involvement as the man himself would have dedicated to the music.

Counterpoint is composition based on independent musical lines played together.

Counterpoint

It’s a matrix of overlapping themes, symbols, tones; it reveals itself gradually over successive listening.

Counterpoint

Contrapuntal music is not always as immediately engaging as classical or romantic styles, it reached its highest

point of expression under Bach.

Bach has continued to reveal himself over the

centuries as a true master of sound.

Listen:‣Bach, "Little" Fugue (G minor, BWV 578)

‣Bach Pachabel’s Canon

‣Bach Mass in B Minor

Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe | USC Thornton@JMScheibe

JoMichaelScheibe.org