How It All Began With the Cool Project “Bach on Bach”..
One of our youngest treasures: 120 years old and with a thumbtack mark at the top center. It seems Johann Sebastian Bach was once pinned to the wall..
10/17/2013 ... A Frank Word..
Do you visit here from time to time? If so, this message is for you. If this is your first time on this page, nothing changes. So to speak..
To those of you who stop by here every now and then, or, even worse, on a regular basis: You’ve noticed, it just isn’t working! It was such a great idea. And in theory, it works, but in practice, it just doesn’t. You know I love to write. And I like to write a lot. But the thing is, this project requires an enormous amount of text. Because there’s not just one website, but the same one in English as well. And there are – or rather, there will be – more websites. I’m also planning to write books about. Several? Yes, several. Bach just won’t let us go..
Now there are two modes: I feel like writing … or I just don’t feel like writing. And when I do feel like writing, there are 100 topics and “works in progress” calling out to me. So I can keep moving forward with the essential areas. So when that desire is there, I sit down at my computer. And I write and write and write. Until I don’t feel like it anymore. And then, of course, I don’t feel like coming up with something clever for this “New This Week” section either. If I don’t feel like writing, then – logically – I also don’t feel like coming up with a new text for this section over the weekend..
On top of that: I do feel like writing. Often ... but there are so many other tasks involved in my project besides writing. Yet this section, “New This Week”, needs to be “fed” every Saturday or Sunday. The desire to write – and a free weekend – now coincide even more rarely..
After all, there isn’t really anything new to report on this for weeks. Because by the time the next one of these short videos is in the works, three weeks can easily have passed. After all, the money for the project has to be earned ... and that means through a real job. So it’s not exactly motivating to write that there’s nothing new … this week. And finally … I’m sure you’re a little tired of it, too … of reading my apologies over and over again. I think they’ve been the most frequent “news” over the past few weeks. That, in turn – and even more so – is the disappointment that it’s Saturday or Sunday again before you know it. And no new information has been posted. That creates frustration and disappointment. At least for Carola. And rightly so. So instead of inspiring enthusiasm, I’m letting people down..
I gave it a try ... posting regularly just isn't “my thing,” it seems. So let's try something different. First of all, irregularly. Then using a different “technique”, namely, Facebook. If you don’t have a Facebook account yet, you can easily have your kids, grandkids, a neighbor, or a friend set one up for you. It takes just five minutes. And you don’t have to do everything else on Facebook either ... all the things you could do. Things will also change once Renate, my wife, decides to start posting. At irregular intervals. There’ll be pictures, short videos, and, of course, news: about the project over the next two years. And finally, little by little … on the topic of Bach. Namely, what’s new in the world of Bach. Whether there’s a new Bach orchestra, whether another Haußmann is discovered. Or the next cantata by the master. You’ll be able to read about that on Bach über Bach via Facebook. That’s what we’ve changed. We want to see how it develops. We sincerely apologize for the fact that, from now on, you’ll only be able to follow the news via Facebook. We’re still in the trial phase ourselves. And with so many things, we don’t yet know what works … and what doesn’t..
With that in mind, I hope to see you on Facebook. Oh, and everything works fine if you want to receive an email whenever there’s something new to report. But that’s only possible if you “like” it … that is, click the “thumbs up” button: that is, “Like.”..
Thank you, see you soon, and best regards
Renate and Peter Bach, Jr..
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7/22/2013 ... Sorry, Carola..
... of course, I also apologize to everyone else who stops by this website, and especially this page. And once again, you’ve found no weekly update. Not even a biweekly one. Worse yet! Slowly but surely, this little blog – if it can even be called that – is turning into a hodgepodge of bizarre excuses. The reason this time? There’s nothing to report! Nothing worth reporting. So … we’re already “on it.” And we’re not leaving you without proof. Here it is: Bach on Stamps … enjoy! Just collecting the material took many months. Right now, we’re spending a lot of our free time putting together music, texts, and even films and photos for these mini-shows. We recently finished the show about Wechmar. Wechmar is the Bach family’s ancestral home in Thuringia. We’ve also made a video about Bach’s life and one about the Bach House in Eisenach. Now we just need to upload them all to the website. That’ll happen in the coming days and weeks..
Actually, I’m wondering just how extensive such a weekly report should be in the future. And what exactly can be reported on ... reports about the “world around Bach.” Testing that out is, after all, the real purpose of this section on the website right now. However, I’ll have much more time for that later … and by then there will be hardly anything left to report on the website about Bach über Bach and Bach on Bach. After all, that’s when you’ll be able to read all the exciting news about Johann Sebastian right here ... everything happening around the world, whether it’s the discovery of a new Bach painting or a long-lost cantata. And if any new family members turn up somewhere, you’ll be able to read all about that here, too..
With that in mind, we look forward to continuing to enjoy the summer with you
Renate and Peter Bach, Jr..
6/16/2013 ... A Whole Half Week in the Middle of the Land of the Bache in Thuringia..
A lot has happened over the past two weeks. I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize: If you checked back here last weekend … you left disappointed. Sorry about that. The time leading up to last weekend was quite hectic. At the very last minute, we got to meet some new relatives from the U.S. We managed to change their travel plans to Germany at the last minute. And so we spent three exciting days in the land of Dwight Back’s ancestors. A visit to the Bach House with a very, very exclusive guided tour, as well as organ music performed by a Korean student at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig – especially for Dwight Back – and finally a meeting with one of the very few great-grandchildren* of Johann Sebastian Bach were, of course, also highlights for Renate and me. Finally, the Bach city of Weimar and Wartburg Castle in Eisenach rounded out this little trip through the land of the Bache. * Of course, there are more greats before the great-grandchildren ... I know ... ..
The road to this event was hectic, though ... and entirely of my own making. I was determined to finish two more mini-videos: the mini-biography and the show about the Bach House in Eisenach. And, of course, in both German and English. I managed to get them done, at least for now. However, both presentations probably won’t be truly finished until sometime over the next two weeks..
6/1/2013 ... The "Facts, Facts, Facts" Page Is Ready..
The noteworthy news: For a change, I actually managed to get it done on time for once. As for the weekend: the latest updates! Now to the main point... the Fact, Facts, Facts Page is finished. The idea behind the profile is that it's intended primarily for students and Bach beginners who, in today’s fast-paced world, like to have everything “in a nutshell.” And because that’s such a “hurry-up philosophy”, and because so much about this Bach on Bach project is completely different, I quickly came up with an idea. Right here on this “facts, facts, facts” page, there should also be a “fast-food mini-biography” available. And as if that weren’t “culturally unrefined” enough, there’s also a compilation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s best-known and most popular works: in a 333-second medley. So that it doesn’t pass our young people by entirely without leaving a trace, you can read the titles while listening..
On top of that, something special happened this weekend: The English site Bach on Bach is “truly, really” launching. It’s been a ton of work … but the framework is now in place ... which, for us users, means the navigation. So somehow – even though there are still only 24 hours in a day – it’s becoming more and more work. Somehow! It would be helpful if, at the very least, new ideas within the project would slowly start to dry up. But that … is not the case. Not yet..
With that in mind, let’s all hope for a little less rain. A little more sun. What’s that called again? Spring. Right … but that’s already over. With that in mind, here’s hoping for a slightly warmer first week of summer for you and for us. We’ll be spending part of it in “Bach Country.” More on that soon..
Sincerely
Peter and Renate Bach..
5/27/2013 ... The Bach Necrology Is Ready..
How we searched for it! It can only be found online by specialists. Or by those who know where and how to look for it: the necrology for Bach. What we would call an obituary today. It is so detailed that it can be considered the first of hundreds of short biographies of Johann Sebastian Bach. Written in 1750, but not published for a general audience until four years later. By 1754, Bach was already increasingly falling into oblivion. For three-quarters of a century, Bach was simply forgotten ... not by many musicians, but by the general public. We finally found it, the necrology. And we took our time transcribing it from the original. We’ll be posting both on our website in the coming weeks. The original, for those who want a bit more of an adventure while reading. And the transcription, for those who want to read it in a brisk 20 minutes. What’s in it for you today? Nothing. But now you know how we “passed the time” this past week..
Now that spring has “passed without any results,” we’ll just wait together for a beautiful summer. I want to visit Lüneburg and Potsdam: to take photos. With that in mind, see you next weekend..
Sincerely
Renate + Peter Bach, Jr..
5/19/2013 ... I Know, I Know..
5/5/2013 ... The Mini-Biography About Bach Is Now Almost Finished..
You haven’t heard from me here in two weeks. How embarrassing ... but at least I have – as you’ve come to expect from me – an original excuse. So, here we go! I’m having a hard time focusing on my job right now. That’s how much fun Bach is, and that’s how exciting the individual “trades” are..
So many other thoughts come to mind as well. Last week, we worked with Ms. Liu. Ms. Liu is from China and offers German-to-Chinese translations (... and vice versa) here in nearby Tauberbischofsheim, Germany. I was able to convince her to become a member of the Bach Dream Team. Not only did she perfectly translate the Bach mini-biography for me, but she also narrated it beautifully. This was “uncharted territory” for her … and for us, too. She did a perfect job. I can’t wait to add Bach’s music to this version. Now we already have a “treat” for 1.4 billion Chinese people. Compared to that, we Germans are such a cute little bunch. By the way, here’s what Ms. Liu looks like. As a professional, I can highly recommend Ms. Liu to you. Especially right here locally. In the Hohenlohe region ... the region with the most global market leaders on the planet. Especially if you’re looking to take your first step into the massive market in the Far East. Because Ms. Liu also offers excellent value for the money. On top of that, she’s charming, reliable, and punctual..
Also, the English versions of the mini-biography, the show about Eisenach, and the video about the Bach House have now been recorded..
Yesterday, on Saturday, I decided suddenly to throw my camera in the car and head off toward Rothenburg on the Tauber, Bavaria, Germany. Since just one destination is never enough for me, I first stopped briefly to take photos all over Weikersheim Castle. Then I quickly drove on to Dinkelsbühl. All these photos will be incorporated into the music videos later. They’ll each be one of the 33 visual themes. There are already more than just one music video posted here. In a first round, Renate is working on the 100 ( ! ) videos. But somehow, it doesn’t just happen on its own..
There are also further plans. But I’m not going to reveal them to you just yet. Otherwise, you’ll think I’ve “He's a few sandwiches short of a picnic” ... or maybe you’re not supposed to post things like that. I can also assure you at this point: Looking for spelling mistakes is the least fun thing to do. Oh, and the FAQs are gradually becoming more complete. And for about two hours now, the first draft of the English – or rather, international – site Bach on Bach has been online. But today, it’s really still in its very early stages. To that, quite rightly: Why is he starting another project when he hasn’t even finished the first one yet? Well … that’s just how I am!..
Tomorrow, on Pentecost Monday, I'm going to treat myself to plenty of Bach. But I also have a little work to catch up on. But that'll be fine ... I think..
In this sense, we are looking forward to a few spring days. Sincerely
Renate and Peter Bach, Jr..
5/4/2013..
Why does everything always take longer than you initially plan? Well, not quite as long as “Stuttgart 21”, but still! Maybe because – when things are going well – you always end up taking on more. Which can only be accomplished under ideal conditions. But once again, we’ve made significant progress. In addition, the first music tracks – which we’ll combine with the photo themes – are nearly finished. And with an innovative website, there’s always the technical challenge to contend with. As for the short videos: The more zooms, pans, and special effects a short presentation like this includes – and the higher the standards you set for yourself – the more little hurdles there are on the path to perfection. Yes, I know … I’m bravely using that word despite all the spelling mistakes on this page..
So today, the mini-biography about Bach – which is currently available in English as well as in a rather exotic foreign language – is finished. Of course, I won’t reveal which foreign language it is. Maybe ... if you like the mini-show about Bach’s life – it’s a compact eight minutes long and features only music by Johann Sebastian Bach – you could just give the post a “like.” That way, we’d at least get some idea of how many people are tuning in from one week to the next..
That puts us about an hour away from our next “asparagus feast,” and yet: We still can’t quite picture it the way our brand-new relatives in the U.S. eat it … grilled asparagus. In any case, we’ve been invited to Texas for it. Our new relatives – a group of four – are coming to Germany at the end of May. And in the blink of an eye, the travel plans have changed … and we’ll be showing them “Bach Country” in Thuringia..
See you in a week ... and now, let's quickly move on to the video: “ > ” is play, “ II ” is pause. And if you hover your mouse over the thumbnail, the icon next to the “ v ” from Vimeo lets you enlarge the video, and you can click it again to make it smaller..
Have fun, and best regards,
Peter and Renate Bach..
4/29/2013 ... So Many Construction Sites..
All we can say today is: Your job “ruins” all your free time. And people place too much importance on sleep anyway. We missed our goal today: We wanted to “post online” the mini-biography about the Thomas Cantor today ... along with our Bach music, narrated by a professional. But we’ll just miss that goal. Because new ideas keep popping into my head, and new perspectives keep emerging. And when you also have the technical means to put everything into action right away – even to publish it – well, then the most recent ideas are always the most exciting. So today, you can experience a whole new vision with me: In the JSB section, I’d like to profile as many Bach choirs, Bach orchestras, and Bach societies as possible. And that goes for the whole world. Click here..
Since then, a lot has happened in the biography section. There are now six short biographies of varying lengths. The shortest is about four minutes long, the longest over an hour. Reading time ... assuming you read at an average speed. There’s also the Necrology, the world’s first short biography about Bach. It’s almost impossible to find anymore … but we now know where. And so do you: on my website ;>). The page for hosting the short video biography is already finished … and … I’ve started making the first corrections. But please don’t ask where. There are still millions of spelling mistakes … but: It’ll be fine…!..
My Bach music is getting closer and closer to completion, and it won’t be long before we’re done. Then we’ll be adding the first interactive features. This is how we spend our days: sometimes taking photos, sometimes writing, sometimes crafting lyrics, sometimes mixing sound or selecting music in the recording studio. On top of that, I contribute – every now and then – on weekends to “What’s New This Week” ... all on the topic of Bach. In between, we’re working on “serious” stuff!..
Let's wish for spring to come back together, shall we? We're invited out tonight ... for a barbecue. Seriously. But the moon boots aren't in the closet just yet. And there's nothing you can't enjoy with thick gloves and a warm scarf..
With that in mind, have a wonderful Sunday evening
Peter and Renate Bach..
4/20/2013 ... It Is Accomplished..
Better: Sunday evening ... that is, tomorrow ... it will be done. In a burst of optimism, I’m letting you know today. And in doing so, I’m putting myself under pressure. What’s done? The chapter on the family tree is “sort of finished” in a new version and at a higher level of completeness. Today, Saturday ... or tomorrow, it will be uploaded. You’re cordially invited to take a first look. Around 800 Bachs, including their spouses, have been included. A text for the chapter has been written. The outline for the genealogy fits “more or less.”..
What hurdles lay along the path to this chapter! Is it even possible? Can the family tree be displayed as planned ... or is the computer – a very powerful one, mind you – overwhelmed? Will it become confusing? Will we discover something new, or even sensational? I found out how not to do it twelve long months ago: for the tech-savvy among you ... using SketchUp, keyword 3D. But not knowing how something works is already “half the battle.” So now it works. Even better than hoped. Because, on the one hand, more space than expected was needed. On the other hand, we couldn’t make the font in one of the boxes any smaller so that it would still be legible – at a certain size – and at the same time fit within the overview. In a second step, we managed to add more space. No one knows today why it worked out. With the initial layout – in the first version based on height times width – we’d hit a dead end. Then suddenly it worked after all. When we wanted to increase the height at the expense of the width. Now both options work, and I was able to avoid the alternative – admittedly not my favorite – namely Plan B: fitting all the data onto two sheets..
Starting immediately, we’ll continue with this: first with the music, then with the short videos (... both of which are flourishing behind the scenes). And finally, we’ll continue adding many more family members to the database, which will from now on be regularly replaced by a more accurate, more complete, and more comprehensive collection. This is expected to happen about every two to four weeks..
That's it for today, be sure to stop by again on Sunday afternoon. Best regards,
Peter und Renate Bach..
4/14/2013 ... A Lot Happens Hidden From View..
At least one prediction came true today. It’s summer. Maybe just for a day … but still: It’s summer today. You would have noticed that even without this column, though..
What’s new? On the Bach über Bach website? Today? What was added this week? In short: nothing. Why? Because behind the scenes, a lot has been happening in many areas. We wrote the texts for more small shows. The music became more and more complete. So did the books corner. And we had an idea of the sheer scale of work and effort involved in the family tree … now we know for sure. The graphic design is exciting. Creating the boxes electronically is one thing … arranging them so that they’re also easy to navigate – as far as that’s even possible – is quite another. 760 members of the Bach musical family have been cataloged to date. That means there’s a box for each one. Inside is the name, the date of birth … and date of death. And whether they were married. And if so, why. More await behind the “electronic door.” The whole thing has surely been rearranged a dozen times by now. Fun? Lots of it, but it also takes a great deal of hard work..
I received some positive feedback from one of my favorite business partners in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany. This week, we’re on the trail of an exciting story – and a sensational one at that – as part of our genealogical research. That is, if we’re successful … in our research. However, you won’t hear about it until the end of the year. That’s definitely how long it will take us to search all over Germany: The next church archives are “already waiting” for our visit..
With that in mind, we’re enjoying the weather. Warm regards from Heilbronn to our fans far away, and from Flein to those right nearby..
Yours, Peter and Renate Bach..
6/14/2013 ... "Family Tree Construction" Is Really Much More Fun..
That wasn’t exactly easy for me today. Because a new fun project is taking shape in the project. The long-planned family tree is really picking up speed. And it just keeps growing and growing. The ordinal number 400 has been assigned. And it turned out that drawing software is the only option for keeping the project organized later on. What does “organized” mean? It’s at least the most organized representation that exists in Bach genealogy … and that one can imagine. There’s no other way to constantly "move the Bachs" around and assign the generations … except on the screen..
And so it took some effort after all. Namely, to devote myself to that which makes the website a little more complete. Ta-da: The St. John Passion page and the St. Matthew Passion page are online in a first, unedited version. Of course, not everything is working technically just yet. But at least we know where we’re headed … and later on, I’ll take care of all the spelling mistakes. I promise. But right now it’s 7:00 p.m., and I’m heading back to the mammoth family tree project … which, of course – as you’ve probably already guessed – won’t be in the shape of a “tree.”..
Shall we together keep hoping for spring? I suspect it’s not going to happen ... summer will just come all of a sudden. Hopefully soon..
In this spirit, best regards
Peter und Renate Bach..
4/1/2013 ... Easter..
A very long Bach weekend is almost over. There’s only half a day left to make some tweaks here and there ... and to complete part of the final push to finish the main sections of this website. Good Friday … which now also feels like “quite a while ago” … was likewise marked particularly by Johann Sebastian. We were treated to a wonderful, breathtaking performance of the St. Matthew Passion by the Bach Choir and Bach Orchestra in Fürstenfeldbruck, Bavaria … an invitation from the conductor ( ! ). The work, lasting over three hours, was a fantastic performance that will remain in our memories for a long time to come. On the drive back, we listened to the program introduction on CD afterward ... from Bayerischer Rundfunk (Bavarian Broadcasting). You’ll also be able to hear excerpts from it very soon in our music corner..
And what else? In the field of genealogy, we have a research project on our hands. One that, if successful, will make even the Bach scholarly community – beyond the circle of Bach genealogists – sit up and take notice. But … we’re still a long way from that. Still a very, very long way off. It will require travel ... all across Germany. We’d like to torture all of you reading this a little bit with the waiting..
A lot has happened on our Bach Top 33 pages. Even today, there will be some changes regarding our genealogist Mr. Hoske. To that end, I took my first successful “steps” with a new drawing program. The goal is to present the Bach family tree not only completely and accurately, but also in a sufficiently clear and organized manner. The premise of this family tree of mine is that I can move all the “participants” at any time – individually or in entire families – up and down, to the right, and to the left..
Today we set another record. We’d like to celebrate this achievement with you: For the first time, we had 75 visitors to our website ... in a single day! By the usual standards we’re used to on the internet, that’s a drop in the bucket. For us, though, it’s fantastic ... and a reason to celebrate..
Now, about April 1. Please don't look for anything in the text above ... there's no joke in there. When the world is joking around, I, as the funny guy, am taking a “break from broadcasting.”..
With that in mind, hopefully it will get warmer soon
Peter und Renate Bach..
3/23/2013 ... What a Week..
This week was definitely a Bach week. Not only was it Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday the day before yesterday ... his next birthday isn’t until a week from tomorrow, on March 31, but … that’s just for die-hard Bach fans. There was plenty of other Bach-related activity as well..
This week was probably the week with the most significant progress across the board. Above all, in the area of the Johann Sebastian Bach short biography. Then also in the area of Bach’s music: Now that I’ve finally found the perfect software for my Bach music. Finally, there was also a technical challenge … again related to the Johann Sebastian Bach short biographies. Speaking of the short biographies of Bach: There will soon be five of them, varying in length, on this website. The longest one, with 60 minutes of reading material, is almost finished. The one with a reading time of about 30 minutes is also nearly finished and ready to be posted. The two shorter ones are “truly finished.” They’re even already illustrated with images. Let’s see how far this weekend – which is still brand-new – will catapult us forward. The fifth short biography will feature images, video, narrated text, and music. A video … a real little show about Bach. About six minutes long. For those who are really impatient and need the essentials, there’s also a Bach profile page..
The technology. It’s supposed to be a cross-media website … and that can be challenging at times. On top of that – and very much in the spirit of Johann Sebastian Bach – it ultimately has to be something exciting and special. Something that doesn’t exist anywhere else. That’s what it has become. You can “turn on” music while reading the short biography about Bach. You’ve heard of that? And you think it’s annoying? Right, you’re right … that’s how it is with all the others. It’s usually an irritating racket that’s especially bothersome when music starts playing uninvited as you open these particular websites. With Bach on Bach, it’s different: First and foremost, it’s music by the Thomas Cantor ... specifically, his most popular and best-known works from among roughly 1,100. Out of about 11,000, as Bach scholarship estimates. And it’s not just one piece, but over an hour of varied selections. You can turn it on. Or turn it off: and let this music play very quietly while you read. But this webpage offers more: video clips and audio files. For all Bach fans who can’t do without the internet (...hello, dear Carola), here’s a brief explanation: Video clips are short videos featuring music, spoken audio, and film and image sequences. Audio files are primarily music. Now, the two longer of the short Bach biographies have this option to turn on music. However, if a video in the middle of the text shows exactly the Bach city the text is about, or if a piece of music was composed exactly during the time period you’re currently reading about … then the background music will naturally be distracting. After all, that would mean two audio sources playing at the same time. Now you can briefly turn off the background music … and then turn it back on later. That … doesn’t exist on the internet yet, in our opinion. It’s something completely new. In the spirit of Johann Sebastian. Incidentally, many other ideas have come to mind. One of them is to record the St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig during a concert at St. Thomas Church and present it here as a short film (… five minutes). We’re working on getting a positive response to our request. To do that, however … I have to first take care of the many spelling mistakes. That’ll be ready in April. “Finally …” you’ll think..
With that in mind, hopefully winter – with its snow and freezing temperatures – will soon be over. For my next photo and video shoots, I absolutely need nice weather and fresh, bright-green trees. Please keep your fingers crossed for me..
Sincerely,
Peter and Renate Bach..
3/18/2013 ... Искрено извинение..
“Sincerest apologies” is what that means in English. And it's ... Bulgarian. One of the very few visitors we're still delighted to welcome pointed out to me that in the INTL section – that is, the international part of the website – the Bulgarian page has Arabic text overlaid on it. I'll take care of that right away. Thank you so much for letting me know..
Otherwise, the weekend was “packed with Bach” … from morning to night. A total of six short biographies were written. However, they’re only in a first draft. Plus, some specific information is still missing. The style of the text needs some polishing … and there are still hundreds of spelling mistakes. So many, in fact, that not even I dare to post these “works” ... even on a provisional basis. The situation is different with the accompanying introductory page. It features new text and four fascinating documents. Two of them are being posted for the first time..
Bach's music was also on the agenda. So quite a bit has happened on the website. But most of it took place behind the scenes. It's not that easy to pick out the master's most popular and well-known pieces ... unless you want to end up with Bach fans up in arms later on. Bach fans whose favorite JSB piece isn't among these 33 of mine..
With that in mind, I'll start by diving into the Bulgarian correction. And then I'll move on ... to whatever else is important..
See you next weekend
Peter und Renate Bach..
3/10/2013 ... Bach’s Biography, Bach’s Music, and Lots, Really Lots of Bach Videos..
You have to understand our American friends a little. Here’s an ad from a radio station that specializes in Classical Music. “Dude” means “guy” and is used here to mean something like “Hey!” “Back off” means to stay back, to keep your distance. Then “Bach” and “Back” sound kind of the same and look similar, too. And so, in no time at all, it quickly turns into the playful phrase “Hello, keep your distance!” That’s what we love so much about America. Thank you, Terri. Great job. © private..
3/2/2013 ... The "Sorry Chapter" Plus My Cordial Request for a Hyper Link..
It’s time to organize, to improve, to optimize. And that’s sorely needed. Because it just can’t work … with too many mistakes. And with missing pages. Certainly not in line with the motto of our godson Benjamin, to whom we owe so much. Many, many years ago, he said: “Whoever finds a mistake … gets to keep it.”..
The “Sorry Chapter”: That’s what we’re calling the blank pages starting today ... pages that will be “filled” this week with a brief apology until the time finally comes to write the actual content. This is so that no one happens to stop by … and finds absolutely nothing there ... except a blank, empty page..
Over the past eleven weeks, the two of us have worked on this website every day for between six and eleven hours. It didn’t even exist back in September. Today, it has between 300 and 400 pages. Now it’s time to optimize it. We have one big request: If you like our site, the website, and the style, we kindly ask you to support us ... the best way to do that is by sharing a link to our website. It’s a thousand times “more valuable” than a recommendation. But even that is important to us. Please recommend us. With the word “Bach” repeated twice and an “on” in between, the address is easy to remember. Bach isn’t mainstream. I’d guess that if you were to ask people in the city center, only one person out of 10,000 would be enthusiastic about Johann Sebastian Bach. That is our challenge. That’s why ... if we can inspire you … please do us this favor. And with a wink: If you don’t just want to help us, please don’t just intend to … but send an email to your webmaster. Please give our address to your neighbor: www.bachonbach.com (…in every conceivable spelling)..
Thank you
Peter and Renate Bach..
2/28/2013..
We’ve had a busy weekend. Nothing but Bach. Two short biographies are mostly finished. They just need some fine-tuning. And thousands of spelling mistakes need to be corrected before these “works” make their way onto my website. Of course, every short Bach biography will also be illustrated. So I have to think about how to approach this. The plan: three Bach biographies ... three types of illustrations. Three? Oh, right, there’s still a third one missing ... namely, the very, very short one. I might even write it tonight..
What’s the current status of the illustrations? We’re supplementing the very short one with historical black-and-white photos of the Bach House in Eisenach. The medium-length one will feature historical paintings of all the Bach cities and towns. And the third – the longest Bach short biography – will be enhanced with Bach videos and audio clips in each section. Overall, we plan to present all nine Bach cities and Bach locations in a short video each by the middle of the year. That’s the plan. To that end, the last two texts for two of the mini-shows – on Dornheim and Lüneburg – were completed today. That’s right, again with lots and lots of mistakes. So they’re still in the rough draft stage. In addition, I’m working for the first time on selecting the perfect Bach music for this website. From about 1,100 pieces. 1,100 are still preserved. Out of about 11,000. According to Bach scholarship. So “I’ve got to get through this now.” A greeting at this point to our most loyal fan, Carola. From across the street..
On that note: It’s a shame we can’t “do Bach” all day tomorrow and during the week, too. Work really does ruin all your free time. On that note, we’re all waiting for winter to finally set in ... until next week..
Heartily
Peter und Renate Bach..
2/24/2013 ... ... It Can Be Done Even Better ... Thank You So Very Much, Cathy!..
Cathy: Thank you so much for letting us know, you had a hard time getting to the English section. I focussed too much on the international visitors. So I didn't pay enough attention to the English speaking folks. We changed the button from the letters INTL to the flags of the USA and Great Britain and assume, Norwegian, Indian and Japanese folks will recognize the globe as the path to their Bach fun. Thanks much..
A lot of unspectacular things have happened this week ... on the international front. So nothing particularly exciting worth mentioning. And that’s how it’ll be this week, too. There are lots of little rough edges to smooth out. We’re going to tackle those now. Still, Bach on Bach is always good for a surprise. We’d love it if you stopped by again. We’ll keep at it..
With that in mind, we’re all now waiting together for the first signs of spring, which have been forecast for Southern Germany, at least
Peter and Renate Bach..
2/24/2013 ... Two Brand-New Chapters and Two Brand-New Records as Well..
The songbook of Johann August Reinhold Bach. Those in the know are aware that he went under with the “Empress of Ireland.” He was also the leader of the U.S.“Bach Band”..
First things first. All the Bach fans on my website have complained. And they’re absolutely right. Where was last week’s report? There simply wasn’t one. All the fans were waiting … and, naturally, they all complained. Carola complained. She’s the only fan we know of so far. That’s why the complaint isn’t just justified ... it’s significant. Will things be different in the future? Will there be regular posts from now on? Who knows for sure? I intend to … that’s my goal. Do I perhaps have any excuses?..
Sure. We had visitors in Florida. Visitors all the way from the far north of the U.S. ... from freezing-cold Minnesota. They arrived with a suitcase full of ancient photos and even more stories. And with Johann August Reinhold Bach’s songbook. Please let that serve as an excuse just this once. Next week, I’ll need a better excuse. And a new one. An even more creative one, after all..
The so-called “Ursprung (... "Origin").” Here is page 1. It lists 53 members of the world’s largest family of musicians..
The records? Or the chapters first? The chapters. The labor-intensive sections of the Ursprung (... the Origin) have been completely reworked. That is, the compilation of 53 Bachs, put together by the Thomas Cantor himself. Then there’s Bach’s letter to his school friend Georg Erdmann. I deliberately designed both chapters in an entertaining style ... with lots and lots of pictures and documents. Just click on a link, and you’ll be there. The records?..
Well, you’ve already read about the first one above. 100 percent of the fans complained. And the second one? Never before – not in my entire life, and not on this website – has a segment with so many errors of every kind been posted online. Spelling mistakes, grammatical errors, factual inaccuracies, and even missing information..
Why is that? Because some people – myself included – are either in the mood to write or in the mood to edit. And because working “against my nature” in either case doesn’t, in the end, yield as much as giving in to one mood or the other. The internet is the ideal platform for this. Today, everything goes online in a beta version, and tomorrow – or maybe even in a few weeks – after the revisions … it’s as if it never happened. Unusual? Actually unacceptable? Somehow different? Yep … that’s just how I am. That’s just how we are. And that’s just how Bach on Bach is..
The only private letter from Johann Sebastian Bach: the letter to school friend Georg Erdmann..
2/2/2013 ... Too Early or Too Late..
Clearly: too late. Because you were disappointed last weekend. A special apology to you, dear Carola. Because you’re probably the only one who’s been reading this regularly so far. So too late, way too late: if you look at last weekend. But a little too early this weekend. Because today is Friday..
Bach stamps ... the logo for this "corner" of the website..
What’s new? Nothing too exciting! Or is there? The Bach stamp corner on the website is flourishing. It’s filling up more and more. But technically, it’s still not up to par (... a grade of F). Because not everything is working yet. Not even close ... but it will. Some changes will already be made there today. But, in our defense: Around 60 country profiles and roughly 150 Bach stamps, Bach blocks, and Bach stamp sets are simply a lot to handle. On top of that, there are about 60 maps. Then there’s the logo for this section of the website. And the text. Well, a week … it goes by really fast..
Per country, one map, always matching the Bach stamp.
Or do you not need any help figuring out where Eynhollow is?..
Even more spectacular? We may have succeeded in discovering yet another – that is, a second – branch of the Bach musical family here in the U.S. It presents itself in great detail, apart from the mainstream of Bach genealogy, complete with a family tree and a publication titled “We Came from Thuringia … Wir kamen aus Thüringen.” Exciting. We want to try to verify whether this line’s lineage is based on evidence or on indications. And if on indications, how many. And how significant. Or are they just statements? More on this once we know more ourselves. This would then be the second branch that was not taken into account by Professor Kraft, nor by Helga Brück, Kock, and Siegl, nor by Frickel. A genealogical sensation! But that still requires a lot – a great deal – of research. And a great deal of research means a lot of work..
Just as I'm posting this text, I realize: I did my homework last week after all. Well, so much the better. But I'm not going to change this article now. I'm sure you'll forgive me, right?!..
With that in mind, we hope you have a wonderful weekend. See you in about eight days.
Peter and Renate Bach..
66 quotes about Bach, about 50 short biographies, roughly 130 photo collages ... and all of that for just one section of my Bach website. It's fun ... but also a lot of work . © Info..
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1/14/2013 ... The First Fan! Hello Carola!..
We’re absolutely thrilled. We have our first fan! Our first real fan. Someone interested in our work. Our first fan who wrote to us saying she’s already visited the website more than once. And who sent us a compliment about it. Thank you! So what’s so special about this? The fact that, at such an early stage of the project, there are only two types of visitors for us..
There are those who stop by once in response to a request from us. And then there are others who may have visited us several times already. But of course, they didn’t let us know that. After all, we can’t actually see or recognize our visitors. Of course, a “fan” shouldn’t be confused with visitors who’ve already been here a few times and have shared very positive feedback. We were absolutely thrilled about that, too. But a fan … that’s something entirely different. And the fact that Carola is telling us this … that really excites us. Thank you again for the lovely compliment..
The last few days have been intense. A lot has happened. The website has changed in three areas. And Susan Bach Weaver has been a huge help by carefully proofreading my English page. Susan Bach Weaver is a member of the Bach family of musicians. And she lives in the U.S. Her corrections are marked in “deep red” on my paper pages (... as PDFs, of course). If you know what I mean. You can see me smiling. The English page will go live tomorrow or the day after. It will then serve as the basis for many, many translations. Oh, by the way: Susan Bach Weaver writes books herself and publishes them through her own publishing house www.rainbowreach.com..
The quotes about Johann Sebastian Bach were a massive project. I’ve been collecting them for many months. By now, they’ve been organized, listed, verified, and compiled. And they’ve been implemented on the corresponding page. To go with them, we searched for images of the authors ... and found them on Wikipedia. The design was meant to be unusual for my website. So we “placed” all 50 or so figures in all kinds of electronic devices. In addition to the quotes, there are ultra-short mini-biographies for Bach enthusiasts who want to know more about the people behind the quotes. There’s also a link to even more information ... for those who, beyond the quote and the brief biography, are interested in who’s who. A real “24/7 job.”..
The FAQs are new: 100 questions about JSB and his family. They’re mainly intended for students and Bach beginners. These days, they’re increasingly complete questions – with all the details – into Google, easily and without a second thought. However, we still haven’t provided most of the answers regarding Bach. Only the entry on Johann Sebastian’s father is fully completed..
This as a weekly interim report and therefore warm greetings
Peter and Renate Bach..
1/10/2013 ... ... Searched ... Found..
Over this past week, the page featuring quotes, sayings, and words of wisdom about Johann Sebastian has undergone a sensational transformation. Even though it’s still clear that a lot of work remains to be done, you can already enjoy the many, many quotes. When I found the first quote about the master, I couldn’t have imagined that there would one day be as many as 66. The Bach FAQ has reached 100. And we’ve “rediscovered” a complete album of stunning photos ... we didn’t even know they’d vanished into the depths of the computer. Can you imagine thinking you’ve taken a full 170 pictures, but not being entirely sure? That’s only possible if you’ve lost track of where you were and what you actually photographed: thousands of photos!..
We're sticking with it, almost around the clock. Have a great upcoming ( ! ) weekend
Peter and Renate Bach..
1/6/2013 ... Bach Music and Bach FAQs..
With the start of the new year 2013, there are two new sections that have been added to this website ... though, of course, they’re still very much in their infancy. Content and answers are missing throughout. There’s no music posted yet at all, since that still requires some “behind-the-scenes” work. But … the concept is becoming clear:..
First, the music section offers a unique way to present Bach’s masterpieces online. In fact, I also have something special to share there. YouTube videos actually gave me this idea a long time ago. Even the short video featuring the pan flute player in the Paris Metro and the images from Père Lachaise Cemetery is a precursor: There will be exactly 33 themes, each paired with exactly 33 works by Johann Sebastian. So you can enjoy different sequences of images over and over again. The whole thing is rather calm – less hectic – just perfect for savoring..
The second major section, which has only just been conceived, is the one centered around the Bach FAQs. These are the “Frequently Asked Questions.” A great deal of information about Bach and his family of musicians has been incorporated into these typical questions. It offers comprehensive, straightforward, and – above all – accurate answers, especially for students, kids, and anyone new to the world of Bach: answers to exactly those questions that Renate and I were asking ourselves just two years ago..
While all this is going on, work on the English version continues. Susan Bach-Weaver is currently reviewing it for any major translation errors on my part. About 90 images and illustrations will then be added to the English version and, little by little, to each additional language version once everything here is in order..
Choosing the pieces of music isn’t quite so simple. The pieces are meant to shed light on Bach’s work. Because, especially when it comes to this decision, my not-entirely-serious guiding principle applies: “If I manage to prevent even just one student or one "Bach beginner" from turning away from Bach’s work, then I’ve already achieved something great with my project!”..
1/1/2013 ... A Bach Hotel, a Cool Bach Crowdfunding Campaign, and a Bach
Picture..
Happy New Year to you all! I hope you had a wonderful start to the year. It’s going to be a Bach year. No, not officially ... that won’t happen again until 2015. No, it’s going to be our personal Bach year. 2013! Learning, searching, discovering, putting it into practice. These are the tasks ahead ... and above all, the fun that awaits us this year with Bach. The range of possibilities is vast. It ranges from delving into Johann Sebastian’s music to developing a musical guide, so to speak, all the way to launching an English version of our website..
Then we’ll move on to news on the topic. How often? I have no idea. I want to see in 2013 whether I can manage one blog post a week or one a month. Right now, there’s more going on with Bach than I can keep up with. Over the next few weekends, I’ll be writing about a Bach-themed hotel, a painting that’s an original … and yet isn’t. And about a project that, for the first time via crowdfunding, is producing and offering Bach’s music completely free of copyright restrictions..
I'm going to dive right into an English interim version. With that in mind, once again ... ..
... all the best for 2013 and good health
Peter and Renate Bach..
12/28/2012 ... Our New "Department" Bach International..
Were you here last weekend? And were you disappointed? Because there was no mention of new areas? I can understand that: I would have been disappointed in myself, too. And now you’re expecting at least a creative answer? Gladly..
We were busy. Both of us. With Bach. A good excuse? No, seriously. I’ve been “tinkering” with the international versions. They’re now just about to be released. More specifically, there’s an English version and an international version. Both are in their initial stages. While the English site will largely correspond to the German one, the international sites are much more condensed ... just as I envision them today. The challenge for me now is: How do I get these translations? And how do I design the entire website so that someone from India, the Philippines, or Argentina will also enjoy Bach? You’re not expecting an answer right here and now, are you? Surely not!..
You can see the result by clicking on the small new globe icon ... the one above the Bach monument in the Ulm Minster. Or by clicking on the second-to-last page in the red navigation bar..
Wishing you a wonderful pre-Christmas season today
Renate and Peter Bach..
12/22/2012 ... B - A - C - H..
B-A-C-H ... a string of letters. Every Bach fan comes across it sooner or later. It’s the time between Christmas and New Year’s. A few days ago was the weekend, and once again I’m late with my “task. ” Because “weekend” is the keyword. You expect something new from me by the weekend. Not just sometime. I’m sorry. But there’s news from several corners of our “major construction site.”..
Bach is one of the very few names that can be sung or played on an instrument. However, this is only true where German is spoken. What’s the story behind it, and what does B-A-C-H stand for? Just click here..
On that note: As of now, there are 33 more great photos of Leipzig. Perfect weather, happy vibes ... and you can see what we found in the Bach city. Just click on the link for each one. Then use the navigation to come back here. We’ve also added more stamps and reorganized them a bit..
Happy New Year 2013
Peter and Renate Bach..
12/2/2012..
Sunday. The first Sunday of Advent. The first snow. The first time shoveling snow. Who needs that? Well, it does look pretty. And on the weekend, you can enjoy it ... but with Monday looming ... rush hour, icy roads, and no promising weather forecast. Well, we’ll just have to hang in there..
Speaking of Bach? Not much has happened here or on this website this week. But plenty is going on behind the scenes ... a lot more! It’s either one thing or the other. But we do have one highlight in our hands: a fully three-dimensional tin figure of Bach. It’s really substantial and beautifully engraved. Now it’s ours!..
Now we’re thinking about whether we want to have an artist paint it: with real “lights and shadows.” The figure has its own charm in both versions. And what could be more natural than to photograph the tin Bach right away? To light it, rotate it, and change the angle relative to the camera. To play with the light. Here I’ll show you my best experimental photos. And to top it off, there’s a little story to go with the first Sunday of Advent..
A musician arrives in heaven. He’s looking forward to finally getting an answer to the question of whether God listens to Mozart or rather Bach. Before the Lord’s throne, he hears Mozart playing in the background: It’s the village musicians’ sextet “A Musical Enjoyment. “Come closer, my son,” says the Heavenly Father. “I see a question in your eyes. Speak it aloud!” The musician replies, “We on Earth always think you listen to Bach. But now you’re listening to Mozart. Why?” The Creator of all things visible and invisible looks at him kindly and then says very slowly, “I am Bach!”..
With that in mind, I’ve already found the next “treats” for you: They still need to be prepared, though. I hope you have a good first real week of winter..
Peter Bach, Jr..
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Actually, advertising . . . because Renate sells it in her shop: a tin Johann Sebastian Bach figure. A first impression..
Johann Sebastian Bach from tin, a second perspective..
Johann Sebastian Bach from tin, part three. A rather rare find: a fully three-dimensional tin figure. 88 millimeters tall. Masterfully engraved. Today, here, and by me: photographed in a very, very unconventional way and with varied lighting. Head to the shop, straight to the tin figures? Sure!..
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11/25/2012 ... Book Recommendations..
“Be diligent …,” he is said to have remarked: the master. And that’s exactly what we’ve been this week. A lot has happened ... behind the scenes, out of your sight. But now it’s visible here on the website. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new..
Ta-daaa, the “Books, Books, Books” section is online. And with it, of course, comes my first recommendation: the first major book about Bach. More will follow. But this page takes a lot of time. After all, these books have to be read first. Fun or not … it just takes time. But we have that time together..
And since so much was going on behind the scenes, as I mentioned, I’ll wrap things up for this week. And join you in looking ahead to the pre-Christmas season. Let’s see if we can carve out a little time for reflection amid the daily hustle and bustle..
With that in mind, all the best,
Peter Bach, Jr..
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I’ll be introducing this book to you in the spring of 2013. It was written by Helga Brück, who discovered my connection to Johann Sebastian Bach..
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11/18/2012..
It’s Sunday. We’re back. From a day trip to “Bach Country.” To visit Bach biographer Helga Brück. And Christa Bach, who is one of the Bindersleben Bachs. And Gehren was on my “nice-to-have” list. All the way into Thuringia: thick fog. Beyond the Rennsteig Tunnel: suddenly blue skies and sunshine. Five minutes before we set off for Gehren, the weather is perfect. My fingers freeze a little while taking photos. But it’s worth it. You can see the results in the Bach Photo Archive..
The Michael Bach Memorial in Gehren. Michael Bach was the father of Maria Barbara Bach, the first wife of Johann Sebastian Bach. Her father was a cantor in Gehren..
Christa Bach in Erfurt-Bindersleben has provided us with more photos related to Lothar Bach from Bindersleben. You’ll learn more about Lothar Bach in 2013. And with additional photos, documents, and answers, we’re filling in the missing pieces of our Bach family tree puzzle..
Our next stop is at Helga Brück’s in Erfurt. And there, we come across a genealogy masterpiece that we’ve been desperately needing. In 2013, we’ll let you benefit from it, too..
Bach author Helga Brueck. She is the top specialist in Bach genealogy and author of several books: some of them about the musician family..
What else is new this week? Yes, that's right: THE COMPOSER. It's another website. One about composers, specifically Bach's contemporaries. It's become even more comprehensive and visually appealing. Why not stop by and take a look? There's always something new here about each of the stars of Classical Music..
Bach on Bach now features a new section called “Famous Composers.” Here you’ll find a brief overview of many famous composers. From there, you can explore the best websites dedicated to these tone setters of the past..
And finally? I’d like to introduce you to a new treasure. First of all, because the interplay between the images and the authentic script is simply fascinating. But even more so upon closer inspection: because we both find the charming mistakes particularly amusing. If we’re not mistaken, May 21 is listed as Bach’s birthday. But that’s actually my birthday! Johann Sebastian was born on March 21, 1685. And on March 31, 1685..
A highlight travelled from the USA, mailed in 1899..
May 21, 1685: Nice try..
March 21 is correct, according to the Julian calendar currently in use. Or, according to the Gregorian calendar that was in use before that, it would be March 31. Is everything clear?..
11/10/2012..
... we’re inexorably heading toward the First Sunday of Advent. The sections on my website that I’m developing for you are coming along splendidly ... expanding more in breadth than with new chapters. I received the “News of the Month” yesterday from the U.S. Nancy did it. She wanted to perform at the White House with her students during the pre-Christmas season, and instead of the usual application, she sent a cool video to the White House. What were the odds that the plan would work? One in a million? But Nancy actually pulled it off ... she received an invitation. Nancy is the granddaughter of Johann August Reinhold Bach, who emigrated from Andisleben in Thuringia to the U.S. You can spot Johann August Reinhold Bach in the second-to-last picture on the website of Bach on Bach. That is … all the way at the bottom. He’s standing in the middle of his family ... in the middle of the Bach band..
Another highlight this week is my sister’s website, DER KOMPONIST. Its web address is www.dertonsetzer.wordpress.com. Of course, I would have preferred a name that was a perfect fit for the address as well. But that one ... was already taken. On this website – which will also be available in English in the near future – you can find the latest news and updates on many composers. And if you’re passionate about Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, and others, you’re also warmly invited to visit there..
This website doesn’t focus on biographical profiles, but rather on events, the formation of new orchestras, choirs, and associations, as well as tour announcements, promotions, and competitions. Why not stop by and take a look? At the same time, we’re currently developing the “Famous Composers” section here on the site, which will link to the most exciting websites dedicated to each composer. Together, this is a great offering for anyone who prefers the “competition” ... or for those who are also passionate about other composers besides Bach. At the moment, only part of the site’s framework is in place. But feel free to stop by anyway. It might be quite exciting to watch this section grow over time..
For today, on a cloudy, dreary late-autumn Saturday in November: Warm regards,
Peter and Renate Bach..
So fast everything changes: Ten days ago the site looked quite different (... see below)..
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11/3/2012..
Once again, a historical document has arrived – by mail – that has thrilled me. The print quality is exceptional. The reverse side is printed with text. When you hold the paper in your hand and realize it’s a publication from 1885, it gives you a slight chill. I’m sure you understand what I mean … with a wink. Actually, an emoji belongs here. We’ve “cut out” the master digitally. And starting today, he’s allowed to be here ... on this page. Later, we’ll move him ... just as one does with Bach monuments..
Tin figures ... a hobby in my family. Of course, we did some research on tin figures related to Bach. And they do exist, for one thing. But maybe I’ll have my own engraved, cast, and then painted, for another. Based on the template below. We’ll see how that might work out. In any case, I’ll keep you posted. I promise..
Johann Sebastian Bach in Eisenach..
11/3/2012 ... Bach Quotes, Bach Quotes..
What’s new since last week? My website now features a new section: Bach Quotes. Quotes from notable personalities about Bach’s achievements. And about him as a person. Like almost everything here, it starts off quite modestly. Just two quotes – perhaps even the best-known ones – kick off this collection. It will later be expanded to include charming anecdotes as well as some remarks by the master himself..
Another important section was launched last week: the second major theme of this, my website. Namely, genealogy. Another person and his acquaintance were of incredible importance to us: Let me introduce you to Mr. Hoske, whom you might like to meet in person in the coming years. Mr. Hoske is a genealogist. And what a genealogist he is!..
11./2/2012 ... An Article Directory..
Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner, Brahms ... in the near future, there will be news about many composers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. From many authors throughout the German-speaking world, both at home and abroad..
An article directory is created during these hours. It combines the interest in Bach with interest in other great composers in the German-speaking world. But this sister project is still growing into his children's shoes. Actually, I should not be able to tell you about it yet, but it is still not clear at all what is going to happen. And ... we are working on new pages and have a lot of fun..
TTYL
Renate und Peter Bach, Jr..
11/1/2012..
Especially for me! I had asked my sister to paint just one picture for me. A painting on the theme of Bach. I asked her long before today ... a very long time ago. And since I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted yet – other than that it should have something to do with Johann Sebastian Bach or the Bach family of musicians – I gave her various Bach-related images as a sort of briefing. She didn’t paint just one for me. Instead, she created several wonderful works of art for my Johann Sebastian Bach project. There are three of them now, today. They’ll all be featured as illustrations on the Bach pages in the coming weeks..
Plus ... we're crafting new pages and having a lot of fun doing it. See you here again soon
Peter and Renate Bach..
Finally, at least three of my sister's pictures have a place of honor. © Pixabay © Petra-Ines Kaune..
10/29/2012..
This can not wait until next weekend: a Chinese railway card with the portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach..
10/28/2012..
Once again, we were able to purchase a fantastic, “age-old” document full of musical notes. The highlight of this week, however, was the discovery of a Bach stamp that was previously completely unknown. But perhaps it’s actually a Cinderella stamp. It’s a CCCP stamp – that is, a Soviet one – from 1970. This stamp has never been listed in any catalog of Bach stamps, and it was completely unknown to us as well..
I was able to “re-photograph” the world’s first Bach monument on a business trip … so to speak. After all, I’d already spent an entire day taking photos in Leipzig: But at that time, I wasn’t … yet … aware of its existence or its location. And I didn’t find it particularly beautiful either. Which was certainly due to the fact that a picture on the internet shows the back side. That’s different now. And even though the sun wasn’t shining, the photos still look autumnal, melancholic, and have an intriguing lighting. You can find these photos in the new “Bach Monuments” section..
Stamp or Cinderella? That’s not the question—but to me “I couldn't care less”. What’s exciting is that it exists..
The section Andisleben: The secret secret is new. And if I were to tell you right here on this page what it’s all about ... well, then it wouldn’t be a secret secret anymore..
Once again, almost as a matter of course, I found some new stamps. And I took some more photos: The first ones of Wechmar went up on its page. Of course, they were all taken in perfect weather. The Veit Bach Mill ... Veit Bach was the first Bach musician to be mentioned in historical records. Wechmar is the place where it all began. I stayed there in August 2012 during a photography trip to the Bach cities of Gotha and Erfurt in Thuringia. Erfurt is the capital of the state of Thuringia. And there are an incredible number of Bach-related sites in Thuringia. I spent an exciting evening at the bar of the Gasthof Löwen in Wechmar, chatting about Bach with the owner, Mr. Löffler..
In fact, just “a stone’s throw away” from the Bach House in Wechmar: the Hotel and Restaurant zum Löwen. There, you can dine and stay in true “Bach style.”..
Post No. 2. So that’s how you write a blog. Well … I’m referring to the predecessor. It’s a strange feeling. I hope you enjoy Bach on Bach. I’m already working on the next chapter. A lovely first week of winter to go with it, so to speak..
Peter and Renate Bach..
10/22/2012..
Everything here is new this week. Really. Everything! On Sunday, this website was still offline. In fact, it didn’t even exist yet. The many, many individual parts were already there, of course. But collecting, organizing, and then preparing them are three entirely different things. If you’re here today, you’re getting in on this as early as possible. So you haven’t missed a thing. You’re part of it right from the start. Why not take a look at the Bach stamps? You won’t find them in this quality anywhere else on the web. And via Flickr, you can enlarge them to fill your screen – and even download them – in incredible resolution. You’ve never seen stamps like this before. Promise. First up, in the No. 1 spot of honor, is our favorite stamp: that of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire..
Today we’re doing something we never usually do: We’re going live with the beta version. In keeping with the times, there are still tons of spelling mistakes. Plus, there are links that aren’t live yet, and some placeholder images. That will change. We ask for your patience ... but we’re determined to start at 12:00 noon: with the publication, with the fun, with the adventure..
10/15/2012 ... Bach ... Rhapsody in Blue..
The blue portrait of Bach was painted specifically at my request. It was created by an artist from the Bach family: by Briana Bach-Hertzog. She lives near Washington, D.C., in the U.S. When I saw her paintings, I asked her to create a portrait of Bach. A “Bach Rhapsody in Blue.” You can see what else Briana does, besides painting Bach, here..
So here it is ... post no. 1. See you ... next weekend, TTYL
Peter and Renate Bach..
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