Bach Study #3

Bach himself said that there was really nothing special about him and that any body who works as hard as him at puts in the same amount of time will be just as good if not better.

With enough practise you can be just as good. If not better.

I've been rarely lurking around since the YC owner has changed, but I couldn't help registering an account to answer that.

Bach said that when some german prince (I didn't remember the name, of course), all amazed after the performance, was very kind to the master (which hadn't happen too often in his life), and asked him how that level of skill was even possible.

It is well known that along his lifetime, Bach was a lot more famous as a performer ("the guy with flying legs"), rather than a composer.

So, first of all, the statement qouted is mainly about the skill of playing, not creating.

And secondly, he was clearly being nice back to someone who was nice to him, and someone he wouldn't like to dissappoint by a more accurate answer This form of answer keeps the prince happy, because he thinks to himself - "oh, sure, nothing to worry about, I could be good too, just need practice".

+1 to finrod, take my house on your side of the bet, too.

The prince was Frederick the Great of Prussia and Brandenburg. We actually know very little about Bach's encounter with the monarch, other than that Bach felt compelled to write the Musical Offering shortly after Frederick had challenged him to improvise a 6-part fugue on a horrendously complex subject he had devised (or more likely, that his court musician had devised). Taking this into account, I think it probable that Bach had felt displeased with his performance at court. I certainly doubt that he'd have been able to maintain a consistent 6-part texture whilst improvising on the 'King's Theme', even with his skills. That these words were spoken to the king is apocryphal; Frederick was apparently not fond of 'complicated' music.

Frederick IV is famed for having hated counterpoint. The reason he invited the ageing Bach (whom he called 'Old Man Bach') to his estate appears simply to have been to show off his new instruments, and show up the composer with a challenge he thought impossible, but at which Bach succeeded in a way *we* can appreciate. How awfully boring it would have been if we had only anecdotal evidence for all the marvellous things Bach had been able to do in his 'Musical Offering'? How much better it is that he felt embarrassed (or perhaps inflated? there must have been some strong motivation here) enough to write the whole thing out, alongside a handful of astoundingly complex canons involving the theme, and send it as a gift to the king.

With regards that quote, I think he was just being humble.

Zetetic, I didn't remember Frederick's name either, but IIRC, these are two different stories, and the one with the quote happened a lot earlier (I've read a large book on Bach's life and work, but that was a long while ago, and not much is still with me).

However, I'm not sure.

Regarding the 'Musical Offering', of course, I completely agree with you about how lucky we are about that accident

but at which Bach succeeded in a way *we* can appreciate

Exactly.

Better get those deeds ready.

In a few years I'll be enjoying the views from your living rooms.

Should you, I'll be happy and pleased What an honour it would be, to welcome the grandchild Bach in my modest appartment and even leave it in your disposal

Seriously, would be great to hear about your efforts and achievements in a while.