Bach FAQ 52
What Was Johann Sebastian Bach's Musical Highlight in His Life?..
Of course, Johann Sebastian Bach’s own reactions to two special honors in his musical career have not been recorded. And so it is a bit difficult today to determine which event of the two likely made the greatest impression on Johann Sebastian Bach during his lifetime..
For both honors were awarded to him by two kings who reigned during the time of Johann Sebastian Bach. One was the Polish and Elector of Saxony King Frederick Augustus III of Poland and the Electorate of Saxony, one of the greatest patrons of the arts of his time. He resided in Dresden. At around the same time, the Prussian King Frederick the Great also reigned. They reigned at roughly the same time because, of course, their reigns began and ended at different times..
In 1736, Johann Sebastian was awarded the title Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Composer by the King in Dresden. Bach attached great importance to this title. A full eleven years later, he was called to Berlin and Potsdam to serve King Frederick of Prussia. There, at the King's request, Bach performed many works on the King's instruments..
It remains unclear, however, whether Johann Sebastian Bach was more impressed by the royal title awarded to him by the king in Dresden. Since that title, of course, “stuck with” him from that day forward and became a permanent mark of distinction. Or whether he was more thrilled by the honor of being recognized by one of the most impressive kings of all time and by the King’s interest in him and his talents..
Certainly, however, both of these honors were the most significant highlights of Bach’s life. For hardly any of his works was ever celebrated with even remotely adequate appreciation and recognition at the time of its premiere. The premiere of the now world-famous St. Matthew Passion, however, marked a sad low point in this regard. This extraordinary masterpiece was not even mentioned with a single word in the Leipzig daily newspaper in the days that followed..
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