Johann Sebastian Bach: The Learned Musician

This is a classic review of Bach's life and covers great detail about both his life and about most of his music and follows his activities, composing in a way that is easy for lay music people (like us) to follow.Only disappointment was the book was damaged when we got it - we expected a second hand copy in good condition but it arrived with a significant "bend" across the spine. Should have returned it but as it was a present we didn't bother and never got round to it, especially as it does not affect the content just its presentation on our book shelf.

I've read two chapters and I can see that this book is so thorough and well written that I am sure I will find out everything I would like to know about J.S. Bach, the greatest composer who ever lived.My one serious complaint is against the publishers, the 'esteemed' Oxford University Press. They allowed the typesetters to get away with having the same margin on the inside of the pages as on the outside. Surely something a first-year printer's apprentice would know to avoid. The book has 600 pages and I have to force-bend the book open to be able read the text on each page as it nears the centre.This lack of care is an insult to the memory of a genius who ranks with Shakespeare, Rembrandt and Newton; and, pertinently, an insult to the dedicated research and writing of the author, Christian Wolff.

A specialist music lover would probably understand the material presented in the book.A huge amount of background knowledge about Bach, Bach's time, Bach's environment is required in order to understand this book. One would wonder what is the Obituary, how lengthy is it, and where it is now?It reads as a textual transcription of the paper records from Bach's time - his receipts, his invoices, his salary slips, newspapers etc. No much, if any, was said of the NBR, the BD, and other references made in the book. The author spent no time in mentioning the research sources.A large section of Glossary would have helped set the background for the readers, but it does not exist.For the most part, it reads as 'might have', 'could have', 'probably have' as Bach did not write much personal letters, and the author had to make general statement on the probability of what had actually happened. This is in no way of the author's fault.All in all, this is a very difficult book for general and average music lovers; and at times disappointing. On the other hand, specialists and music scholars would have find it useful.

This is an excellent biography. There is so much useful information and it is presented in a very accessible way. I own the latest Bach 333 collection and the complete cantatas by Koopman, Gardner and Suzuki. I was unsure as to how best to approach listening to all the material, but having read this book I now have a better idea. The book is not dry or academic in the least and is very enjoyable to read. I would suggest buying the hardback edition if you can find one as the illustrations are much clearer than the ones in the paperback, which I bought first of all. Thank you Mr Wolff!

I love listening to Bach, as well as playing the Italian Concerto, a number of the Preludes and Fugues along with the Inventions and Sinfonias. This book is a must - have for all who love Bach and wish to learn more about his life. It is very well written and comprehensive. So glad I bought it.

My brother is a keen musician bought as part of Christmas gift hes really enjoyed this so far.

Excellent book in good condition

Essential reading for the Bach enthusiast.