Blog

Sep 20, 2011

When we think of Baroque composers, often the first name that pops into mind is Johann Sebastian Bach, and for good reason. The scope and brilliance of his works are unparalleled in their genius and precision.  It was no accident, of course, that he became a musician and composer. His father was musical director of the town where he was born, and taught him to play violin and harpsichord. When his mother died ( he was ten),  he went to live with his uncle who trained him to copy scores, and taught him the clavichord.

So, what was he like as a young lad? Was he a music geek, prancing around in sissy clothes? Did he have chores to do, have a crush on a girl, have bad eating habits, bite his nails? Hard to know, but it seems, though precocious and enormously talented, he was more or less a regular guy. One example of his demeanor is this excerpt from a period document:

Johann Sebastian Bach, organist here at the New Church, appeared and stated that, as he walked home yesterday, fairly late at night ... six students were sitting on the "Langenstein" (Long Stone), and as he passed the town hall, the student Geyersbach went after him with a stick, calling him to account: Why had he [Bach] made abusive remarks about him? He [Bach] answered that he had made no abusive remarks about him, and that no one could prove it, for he had gone his way very quietly. Geyersbach retorted that while he [Bach] might not have maligned him, he had maligned his bassoon at some time, and whoever insulted his belongings insulted him as well ... [Geyersbach] had at once struck out at him. Since He [Bach] had not been prepared for this.  He had been about to draw his dagger, but Geyersbach had fallen into his arms, and the two of them tumbled about until the rest of the students ... had rushed toward them and separated them.

 

So, what have we here? Our boy Bach packing heat ( if you can call a dagger heat), talking smack about a bassoon, and mixing it up with a townie. My, my, it seems this towering, mythical figure was actually human. I’m sure, after his tussle, he never dissed a musical instrument again.