It seems so ironic-one of the supreme masterworks of music, which has gripped legions of scholars and performers for ages, was meant to put its first audience to sleep!
The so-called Goldberg Variations of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is believed to have been a gift to Count Kayserling, an influential musical devotee who had secured Bach an appointment as official composer to the Saxon court. Beyond being a deep honor, the title served Bach well, providing him with much-needed royal protection against the pettiness of his employers, with whom he rarely got along. From his earliest days as a church organist, Bach was faulted for confusing congregations with flights of invention rather than strictly accompanying their hymns. Throughout his career, he constantly railed against the inadequacy of the players and the resources with which he had to work.
This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.
To view this content, please continue to their sites.
Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now
LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.
For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]
