Bach Chronicles #4--JSB comments on coffee, love & work

In his 65 years, J.S. Bach delivered his mountain of music which moved the world.  His life and works have been studied in great detail, but what he was really like as a person remains only partially portrayed..  There are some enduring quotes from him about about him that give a fuller picture to the religious man who worked hard and enjoyed his coffee. 

“Ah! How sweet coffee tastes! Lovelier than a thousand kisses, sweeter far than muscatel wine!” - J.S. Bach

“Bring me coffee before I turn into a goat!” - J.S. Bach

“Ceaseless work, analysis, reflection, writing much, endless self-correction, that is my secret.” - J.S. Bach

“I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music.” - J.S. Bach

J.S. Bach fathered twenty children over his lifetime, nine of whom survived into adult age. His first wife, Maria Barbara died when he was 35 leaving him with four children to raise.  His second wife, Anna Magdalena, was not only the mother of the rest but she also transcribed a great deal of his work.  

“Old concept: Love is blind. Marriage is an eye opener. New concept: Love is not blind - it simply enables one to see things others fail to see.” - J.S. Bach

One of his sons C.P.E. Bach who was six years old when his mother died and went on to become a renowned composer in his own rite describes how his father taught music.

“In composition my father started his pupils right in with what was practical, and omitted all the dry species of counterpoint. His pupils had to begin their studies by learning pure four-part thorough-bass. From this he went to chorales; first he added the basses to them himself, and they had to invent the alto and tenor.” – C. P. E. Bach

Later in 2023, I’ll be releasing “American Bach Revisited” featuring J.S. Bach’s Cello Suites 1 & 3, where the melody is played on the banjo accompanied by a continuo bassline played on the cello.