October 17, 2025

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

1 hour 6 minutes

Johann Sebastian Bach is a towering cultural icon, a composer who might be seen as the poster boy for “serious music” and spent most of his career in the service of the church. But he played many roles in the course of his life, and could be funny, sassy, conniving, obstinate, and rebellious. Donald Macleod dives into Bach's secular music, and follows his trail as he makes his way in the world, from courts to coffee houses, building a family, two-timing his bosses, and even a stint behind bars.

Featured music:

Brandenburg Concerto No 5, BWV1050 (i. Allegro)

Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV1034

Capriccio in honorem Johann Christoph Bach BWV993

Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 (v. Chaconne)

Organ Sonata No 4, BWV528

Lute Suite No 1 in E minor, BWV996

Partita for Solo Violin in E major, BWV1006 (IV. Menuet)

Fugue in G minor for violin and basso continuo, BWV1026

Trio Sonata No 2 in C minor, BWV 526

Concerto after Vivaldi in A minor, BWV593 (i. Allegro)

Cantata BWV208 'Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!' (excerpt)

Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV565

Prelude and Fugue in F minor

Prelude in D minor, BWV851

Brandenburg Concerto No 5, BWV1050 (iii. Allegro)

Cantata BWV134a ‘Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht’: Ergetzet auf Erden

Bach Collegium Japan

Cello Suite No 2 in D minor, BWV1008 (Sarabande and minuets)

French Suite No 4 in E-flat major, BWV815 (1st-4th movements)

Brandenburg Concerto No 4 in G major, BWV1049

Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1054 (iii. Allegro)

Double Violin Concerto, BWV1043 (1st movement)

Cantata, BWV214 “'Tönet, ihr Pauken'” (opening chorus)

Orchestral Suite No 2, BWV1067 (3rd – 7th movements)

Cantata BWV211 'Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht' (Coffee Cantata)

“Peasant” Cantata – Mer hahn ein neue Oberkeet, BWV212: “Wir gehn nun wo der Dudelsak”

Double Violin Concerto, BWV1043 (2nd movement)

Orchestral Suite No 3, BWV1068 (iii. Gavotte to v. Gigue)

Goldberg Variations, BWV988 (Aria and Variations 1-5)

Musical Offering, BWV1079: Ricercar a 6

The Contest Between Phoebus and Pan, BWV201 (“Pan ist Meister”….end)

Presented by Donald Macleod

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales & West

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Johann Sebastian Bach: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002kdkg

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z

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By BBC Radio 3

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