Wolff's was a Pulitzer Prize finalist, has much more information about Bach's pre-Leipzig travels and career I think he makes Bach come to life somewhat better than Geck's, which is written in more of an academic style. If your patience is more limited than that, I would recommend the Wolff over the Geck, in spite of Mazur's endorsement. If you take the time to read them both you can learn pretty much everything that is currently known about Bach's life. 3-273) and a discussion of the music, genre by genre. Geck's book is divided into a biographical half (pp. He intends to complete a second volume, strictly about Bach's music. Wolff's is a biography only, though sometimes he cannot help himself and writes about the music as music. Or make that Bach.įor more information on tickets, concert times, programs, and performers, go to are both learned works, by distinguished German scholars. This Golden Anniversary year will culminate with the 50th Anniversary concerts in Spring, 2024.Īnd, just as he is again in 2023, Richard Webster will now doubt be back in 2024. “In those days, I didn’t realize what I was getting into,” he adds.īut it’s still going. This year’s festival is also highlighting “Women of the Baroque Era,” female composers.Ĭonsidering the enduring power of Bach’s music, it’s probably not surprising that Bach Week Festival has lasted so long, although Webster says when he became director in 1975, “my naivete worked in my favor.” Many world-renown musicians will play selections by Vivaldi, deFalla, and, of course, by old Johann Sebastian (1685-1750) himself, among others. The Bach festival is also more than just Bach. “Every organist falls in love with Bach,” he says.

“I knew when I was 14 that I wanted to work in a church.”Īnd frequently at the church, Webster’s music was Bach to basics.

“I’ve always loved church and church music,” Webster says. Webster went on to spend 31 years in music at St.Luke’s along with teaching at NU, before moving to Boston to direct music as the organist at Trinity Church there.īut he keeps coming back for the festival he helped start in Evanston. “We passed the offering plate in the church,” Webster says. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where Webster was the assistant organist and choir master while still in school at NU. “We did five concerts in one week in May, 1974, Webster recalls.

The Evanston events are all at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave, two concerts on May 12 (one being a candlelight event), and another concert on May 14.Īt first, Bach week really was just seven days. There have already been two concerts in Chicago, at North Park University and at All Saints’ Church (Ravenswood). Bach Week is actually spread out over several weeks.

Bach the learned musician