Bach Festival Leipzig 14 June - 23 June 2019 'Bach, Court Compositeur'




Bach, Court Compositeur

Bach's personal seal designed by him when appointed Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Composer

Why is the Bach Leipzig Festival important for Poland and the music of Fryderyk Chopin? 

Bach was the composer Chopin admired above all others save Mozart. He practised for days Das wohltemperierte Klavier before concerts of his own music rather than the pieces he would actually play. The important polyphonic strands and counterpoint within his own music were all derived from his adoration of J.S.Bach. Bach was always chosen during his teaching as indispensable to deeper musical understanding and meaning.

It is also instructive to remember other aspects of Bach's life were closely associated with Poland at the time. He always wished to be associated with court circles despite the small extent of some of these princely states. 

Bach was appointed Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Composer in 1736. The Elector Frederick Augustus II / Augustus III King of Poland was a great patron of the arts, a devout Catholic and music-lover. Bach dedicated the Kyrie and Gloria of the B minor Mass to him.
My reviews of concerts in the 2019 Leipzig Bach Festival are available at:

https://michael-moran.org/2019/06/16/bach-court-composer-bach-festival-leipzig-14-june-23-june-2019/



The actual document appointing Bach as Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Composer in 1736 signed by King Augustus III and his Prime Minister Count Heinrich von Brühl. 
It is exhibited in the fascinating temporary exhibition of documents, engravings, recordings and Bach autographs in the Bach Museum entitled  
'Bach, Court Compositeur' 

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