But First, Coffee

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. This week, along with the “worldly” Bach, we’ll get to know his secular music… and follow 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.

Today, Bach packs up his family and heads to Leipzig, to take up the prestigious job in charge of music at the city’s four main churches. No more Dukes and Princes telling him what to do, but he still can’t escape authority – finding creative refuge and stimulation at the city’s finest coffee house.

Harpsichord Concerto BWV 1054 (iii. Allegro)
The English Concert
Trevor Pinnock, harpsichord/director

Double Violin Concerto, BWV1043 (1st movement)
Rachel Podger, violin
Bojan Cicic, violin
Brecon Baroque

Cantata, BWV214 “'Tönet, ihr Pauken'” (opening chorus)
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe, conductor

Orchestral Suite No 2, BWV1067 (3rd – 7th movements)
Dunedin Consort
John Butt, conductor

Cantata BWV211 'Schweigt stille, plaudert nicht' (Coffee Cantata)
Emma Kirkby, soprano
Rogers Covey-Crump, tenor
David Thomas, bass
Academy of Ancient Music
Christopher Hogwood, conductor

Produced by Amelia Parker for BBC Audio Wales and West