The Life and Times of Johann Sebastian Bach

Book excerpt: For more than 100 years now, the name of Johann Sebastian Bach has been considered among the most highly regarded of all composers. The “holy cantor” church musician has been written about in many books. So, it might be difficult for some of us to imagine, but for several generations after his death, Bach had been forgotten. What remained of his vast number of works gathered dust in private collections or distant archives. Many of his works were discarded; in fact, some found their way to a butcher shop and are reported to have been used as wrapping paper. It took a twenty-year-old musician, who would become as well known as Bach, to bring about an interest in his works. In 1829, Felix Mendelssohn performed the St. Matthew Passion, and revived interest in the long-forgotten composer. The genius of Bach was finally recognized by the world. In this delightful story, young adults are introduced to one of the greatest composers of all time. Combining music, history, and culture with biography, this story is as entertaining as it is educational—a musical journey back through time.