About this course
Join award-winning musical educator and conductor Ben England for a very special exploration of Bach’s choral masterpieces in four fascinating lectures, each lasting between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
We begin with Session One “The Road To Leipzig” where we travel with Bach through his formative years, discussing his lineage and early career stops (including his “troublemaker” years in Arnstadt) in Weimar and Cöthen. Musically, we’ll look at his early organ and concerto works, including the Brandenburg Concertos and Cello Suites.
Session Two explores “The Sacred Architecture” of Bach’s choral foundations – looking at Bach’s approach to the chorale (the heartbeat of Lutheranism), the Magnificat in D Major and The Great Passions of St Matthew and St John.
Session Four “The Immortal Legacy” explores Bach’s ultimate offerings at the end of his life – why a Lutheran wrote a Catholic Mass (in B minor), the Art of Fugue and the Musical Offering – how an emperor’s attempt to embarrass the elderly Bach backfired spectacularly and inadvertently both inspired one of the greatest baroque works ever created, and ensured that music thereafter would have to change forever. We will look at Bach’s sad end after failed eye surgeries and how his work fell into obscurity in favour of his sons CPE and JC Bach. Our epilogue will explore the Bach revival led by Felix Mendelssohn and why Bach is so revered today.
This Around Sound course is an essential companion for any lover of classical music – for anyone who has ever heard the Air on the G String, or Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, or Erbaume Dich and wondered how one man could produce such beauty.
What’s included
- Enjoy the four lectures above, each lasting between 90 minutes and 2 hours and thoroughly researched, written and delivered in Ben’s trademark knowledgeable and entertaining style.
- When delivered live, these lectures were followed by a post-lecture Q&A session on Zoom, which were recorded and are also available alongside each lecture for extra learning.
- Ben has also curated YouTube playlists for further listening and study, including more than 100 of Bach’s key pieces to enjoy at your own pace.
Cost
This fascinating course costs £40, which includes recordings of all lectures and resource packs as outlined above.
ℹ️ Discounts are available for Full and Associate Members of Choir of the Earth, plus attendees of either of our Leipzig trips – please check your Members’ Areas or Events emails for details.
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