Discover the profound impact of Bach's music by diving deep into the rich history that shaped it. Bach’s compositions are not just pieces of music – they are windows into a world that can transform how we perceive life itself. In this course, we will explore his genius through both the music and the historical forces that influenced it.
Session 1: The Court Organist: In this session we’ll explore the early organ works and consider his developing calling as an artist-teacher.
Session 2: The Kapellmeister: For about five years Bach worked for the Calvinist Prince of Anhalt-Cöthen. What became the Well-Tempered Clavier took shape in this context, where Bach intended “to spend the rest of my life.”
Session 3: The Kantor: Bach’s tenure in Leipzig can be viewed through the prism of his church cantatas—supreme examples of Lutheran church music, though written under very difficult circumstances.
Session 4: The Old Bach: Bach’s late masterpieces reflect both a desire to continue his pursuit of excellence in musical science and his awareness that his art was not always understood or appreciated.
Subject: music
Timothy Steele teaches music history and theory at Calvin University where he served as chair of the music department. His musicological research focuses on settings of psalms from the Renaissance to the 20th century. He is co-editor of the Oxford Handbook of Music and Christian Theology, slated to be published in 2025.