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Donald Macleod explores events during Bach’s turbulent employment in Weimar.

Johann Sebastian Bach, who is now almost universally recognised as one of the giants of classical music, was not always so celebrated. In his own lifetime he received some public recognition but this contrasted with his regular complaints of unjust humiliations at the hands of his contemporaries and his employers. Was the composer hard done by or were these problems of his own making? In this week of programmes, Donald Macleod tries to get to the heart of Bach’s character, warts and all, through five different periods in the composer’s life. We’ll be hearing from some of Bach’s most glorious music, as Donald ponders what the composer’s character might mean for our understanding of the man and his art.

In Wednesday’s episode, Donald explores Bach’s time in Weimar, where friction between the composer and his employers reached a new nadir as Bach was put under arrest.

Suite No 2 in B minor, BWV 1067 – Overture
Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra
Jeanne Lamon (conductor)

Toccata & Fugue in F major, BWV 540
Anthony Newman (organ)

Christen, atzet diesen Tag, BWV 63 - "Höchster, schau in Gnaden an"
Julia Doyle (soprano)
Joanne Lunn (soprano)
Clare Wilkinson (alto)
Nicholas Mulroy (tenor)
Matthew Brook (bass)
Dunedin Consort
John Butt (conductor)

Prelude & Fugue in E flat major, BWV 852 from The Well-Tempered Clavier
Keith Jarrett (piano)

Brandenburg Concerto No 6
Academy of Ancient Music
Richard Egarr (harpsichord & direction)

Producer: Sam Phillips