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The Musical Offering

Donald Macleod focuses on the music arising from Bach's visit to Frederick the Great in 1747, which took place at the request of the king himself.

Bach's visit, three years before his death, to Frederick the Great in Potsdam in 1747, was timed tactfully. Prussian troops had withdrawn from Leipzig six months earlier, and Leipzig city council and the Dresden court would have noted that Bach had made the journey as a true ambassador of peace. Frederick the flute-playing monarch offered the composer a theme on which to base a new work, and Bach improvised a piece for the king there and then. After returning home he set to work on several movements based on this royal theme. Donald Macleod looks at the music arising from Bach's visit to Frederick the Great.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Musikalisches Opfer BWV.1079

    Performer: Ensemble Sonnerie

    • VIRGIN CLASSICS.
    • VC 5 451392.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Musikalisches Opfer BWV.1079

    Performer: Musica Antiqua Koln

    • Deutsche Grammophon.
    • DG469680-2.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Mass in B minor BWV.232

    Performer: Guy de MEY - Tenor Performer: Klaus MERTENS - Bass Performer: Ton KOOPMAN - Organ Performer: Amsterdam Baroque Choir Performer: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra

    • ERATO.
    • 4509-98478-2.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Vom Himmel hoch - canonic variations BWV.769 for organ

    Performer: Simon PRESTON - Organ

    • Deutsche Grammaphon.
    • DG 427668-2.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 2 Aug 2012 12:00
  • Thu 2 Aug 2012 18:30

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