Sowing Seeds

Donald Macleod traces J S Bach's early life from birth in Eisenach through becoming an orphan, family and schooling to early employment in Arnstadt and Mülhausen, and first marriage.

In this first portrait, the boy Bach can be pictured studying at Luther's old school and becoming orphaned at the age of nine and going to live with an older brother, from whom he had to conceal his love of composition by copying out music by moonlight. The 15-year-old Bach sets off, accompanied by his school-friend, walking the 180 miles to a boarding school in Lüneburg to continue his studies. His first job is as organist at Arnstadt where he famously gets into a brawl with a bassoonist and goes AWOL for three months from his post to go and hear Buxtehude perform in Lübeck. Bach causes a scandal by allowing a "strange young woman" to go up into the choir loft and "make music there." He finds a new job in Mülhausen, where he marries his second cousin Maria Barbara.

Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen (St Matthew Passion, opening chorus)
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe (conductor)

Capriccio in E 'in honorem Johann Christoph Bachii Ohrdrufiensis', BWV 993
Angela Hewitt (piano)

Overture from French Overture in B minor, BWV 831
Steven Devine (piano)

Toccata in D minor, BWV 538, "Dorian"
Marie Claire Alain (organ)

Cantata: Gott ist mein König, BWV 71 (opening chorus)
Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
John Eliot Gardiner (conductor)

Cantata: Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 196
Concentus Musicus Wien
Nikolaus Harnoncourt (conductor)

Presenter: Donald Macleod
Producer: Rosie Boulton.