Yo Tomita's site aims to provide access to "the most up-to-date and most comprehensive bibliography of J. S. Bach". One can search the site using complex and simple searches. Contains a section on new publications. Dissertation and journal articles are also referenced. All embracing!
Bach Central StationAmongst other things, Rob Kruijt looks at the history of the organ in the Bonifaciuskirche in Arnstadt and at the history of the Thomaschule. Some good historical images on this site.
Cosmic AmbitionChristoph Wolff's book 'Johann Sebatian Bach: The Learned Musician' reviewed by Edward Said. Part of the London Review of Books website.
An Evangelical Musical Genius: "J. S. B.: S. D. G."
Article by Arthur L. Farstad from an evangelical perspective. Situates Bach's work as a perfect continuation of Luther's ideas on music. He also endeavors to show that Bach lived a truly Christian life. Part of the Grace Evangelical Society website.
Goldberg Early Music Magazine
This early music portal has many free articles some of which are concerned with Bach. Many items can be viewed for free. Click on the "Goldberg Magazine" link to see archived issues. High quality website.
Maintained by Jan Handford and Jan Koster. Includes full biography with some nice old maps and pictures. There is a personal tourist guide written by Jan Koster. Also included is a section containing portraits of Bach and a detailed bibliography.
Johann Sebastian BachAntonio Casagimeno's site contains stamp images from around the world featuring Johann Sebastian Bach, his work and the places where he lived.
On the Traces of Johann Sebastian BachTourism site devoted to the places where Bach lived. Gives details on how one
can stay there. There is also information on festivals which include the music
of Bach e.g. Thuringian Bach Festivals.
Sojourn
Coming out of North Arizona University, Timothy A. Smith's site provides detailed information on Bach's education and career. He also looks at the society of that time and at the ideas which inform Baroque Music. He defines the various forms Bach uses in his music e.g. canon and fugue with detailed examples showing how they are applied (sound examples are available). This latter material is designed especially for study.
Suite101.comFeatures amongst other things, a previously unknown portrait of Bach together with other portraits, an article on Bachs handwriting and critical discographies of 3 major choral works namely: The B Minor Mass,and the Saint Matthew and Saint John Passions
Universal LibraryYou can hear sound examples of instruments that Bach would have known. The main part of the site consists of high quality autograph score images.
Bach, Mozart and the Musical Midwife: Article by M. RasmussenA long essay about the musical influence of Bach on Mozart which was instigated by 'midwife' Baron Van Swieten.
Bach's Polka
Article by George Belanus on the discovery of a Bach "polka" (from Cantata No. 78) by accordianist Henry Doktorski. On the JANPress Publications site.
Bernard
D. Sherman's Web Site.
Contains a series of essays/articles/reviews on Bach's vocal and
instrumental music. He is particularly interested in changes in performance
practice.
Discovering Music on Radio 3
Find out about the inner workings of pieces such as the Goldberg Variations and Jesu Meine Freude in these 45 minute programmes from Radio 3 UK. Use Real Player.
Early Music Myths
Article from a 'Historically Informed Performance' perspective. Against Bach being played on the piano and the use of choirs. Part of the 'Diabolus in Musica' site.
The Flying Inkpot
Contains reviews of Bach's works on CD with a slight bias towards 'authentic' performance. Also includes an essay entitled 'To Bach is to be Human' by Chia Ha Leon.
Gottiger Bach Katalog
Database of the works of Bach and their handwritten sources till 1850.
Hyperion Records Home Page
Has Real Audio excerpts from CD's of Bach's music. Also has informative sleeve notes of some of the recordings on this site.
Johann Sebastian Bach and Works for the Trumpet
Part of O.J's Trumpet Page. Consists of a list of works where Bach uses the trumpet as well as listings of players who have made recordings. Has scores in PDF of Bach's Cello Suites which can be played on the trumpet. Pages devised by Ole J. Utnes and Walter Roth.
J. S. Bach Parodies
Pinpoints the works where Bach 're-uses'material either by transcription or by parodying an earlier piece.
OperadiO.com
After having registered one can listen to Bach 24/7/365 with the ''Back to Bach'' radio station. There are also the ''Baroque'' and ''Oratorio'' stations which also feature Bach's music heavily.
Phillip Pickett's essay shows the allegorical meanings contained in the these concertos.
Catalogue of Organ Music by J. S. Bach
One can search this catalogue by title or by BWV number. The year of composition (if known) is also recorded. Produced by the International Organ Foundation.
Chaconne in D Minor J. S. Bach on Guitar
Hear the famous violin chaconne played on guitar by Renato Belluci. There is also an appreciation and commentary on the structure and interpretation of this work. Part of the Mangore site for guitarists.
Classical Music in Russia
Listen to Alexei Parshin playing organ music by Bach. Also features harpsichord music by Bach's sons.
Extraordinary Solo Cello Performance of Bach's Suites in Australia
Interesting review of a concert of the Cello Suites given by Peter Wispelway. Written by Adrian Falk. From the World Socialist Web Site.
The Glenn Gould Archive
Hear Glenn Gould play Bach during test sessions before recording. One can also search for references to publications/documents about Gould and Bach. A sleeve note by Gould to a 1955 public performance of the Goldberg Variations can also be accessed. Hosted by the National Library of Canada.
"Goldberg Variations" by J. S. Bach
Glenn Gould's notes to his 1956 recording of the Goldberg Variations. Part of Richard Geib's Universe.
Goldberg Variations - J. S. Bach - 32 Pianists
Read about a peformance of the Goldberg Variations where each variation was played by a different pianist.
The Goldberg Variations
Contains analyses of this work from Tovey, Angela Hewitt, Yo Tomita etc. Also contains an essay entitled 'In Search of Bach's Harpsichord' by Vance Makin.
index.html
Site featuring James Kibbie, Professor of Organ from the University of Michigan. Contains useful programme notes for 18 of Kibbie's Bach organ recitals.
J. S. Bach: Some Thoughts on the Performance of Bach's Keyboard Music
Albert Alan Owen tells us why one should feel no guilt in playing Bach on the piano.
Jan Svankmajer: J. S. Bach Fantasy in G Minor
Features a synopsis and commentary of a film by Svankmajer inspired by Bach's music. Page design by Michael Brooks.
Leopold Stokowski: Making Music Matter
Features audio of Stokowski talking about his Bach transcriptions.
The Library - Reading Room - Cello Articles etc
Includes facsimile copies of the cello suites believed to have been made by Anna Magdalena Bach. Also other Bach/cello articles. Site maintained by Harry Wimmer
A Masonic View of the "Musical Offering"
Janos Cegledy, P.M. looks at possible Masonic symbolism in the Musical Offering. Part of the Freemasonry in Israel website.
Milestones of the Millenium: Bach's "Brandenburg Concertos"
52 minute National Public Radio broadcast offering an exploration of the Concertos with Lisa Simone. Needs RealPlayer.
Music of the
Intellect: The Goldberg Variations
This site has in depth commentaries on the Goldberg Variations and the Well Tempered Clavier Book 1. This is a site for the technically minded. Has some nice quotes and interesting piano graphics. There are also Midi files. By Imy Fujita
Music Essay: Analyses of Bach's Allemande
Ioannides Nikolaos analyses the Allemande of Bach's English Suite No. 3 in D Minor.
OrganFocus.com Feature: J. S. Bach and the Organ - Some Neglected Threads.Stephen Bicknell's lecture concentrates on the elusive search for the 'right organs' to play Bach's music on. This site also contains a comprehensive world-wide listing of forthcoming Bach organ events.
Peter Billam's Arrangements
Play Bach on recorder or recorders. Free PDF downloads available of arranged/transposed pieces. Includes the complete score for a couple of flute sonata's (BWV 1031, BWV 1032).
Suzanne Stephens 7th Homepage Report April 2002
Part of this long report includes a visit made by Stockhausen to St Agnus Church, Koethen where he talked about how he had been inspired by Bach's musical craftsmanship and spirituality. Contained on the official Karlheinz Stockhausen website.
'Tutti Celli' Newsletter
Search for articles about J. S. Bach and the cello. Produced by the Internet Cello Society.
The Variations Project
You can view the full score of the Well Tempered Clavier Book 1 here. Provided by Indiana University School of Music.
Hosted by Aryeh Oron. Has everything you need to know about the cantatas including German and English texts and a discussion area which solicits comments on a different cantata every week. There are also biographies on many Bach performers past and present. One can now listen to most of Bach's Cantatas in Real Audio.
The Bach CantatasWalter F. Bischof's site sorts the cantatas in different ways such as by when they should be performed in the church year or alphabetically or by BWV number etc. The original German texts are also on this site.
Bach's Cantatas: A Brief OrientationListen to preeminent Bach scholar Christopf Wolf giving a lecture on Bach's B Minor Mass. You can also hear the whole piece in Real Audio. Provided by Indiana University.
Bist du bei mirJanet I. Wassermans essay on this work now thought to be by Stolzel. Contains a recording of the piece in Real Audio and a PDF copy of the score.
Jonathan Dimmocks site lists the cantatas in the order of when they fall during the church year. Has an introduction outlining the historical context of these works as wll as a description of the instruments in use at that time.
Emmanuel Music/Bach Cantata Notes.
Read concert notes of around 30 of Bach's Cantatas. By Craig Smith. Also has English translations of these works side by side with the original German texts
The
Freedom of a Christian: Luther considered through the Eyes of Durer and the Ears
of Bach
This site features large images of Durer Passion woodcuts together with relevant excerpts from the St Matthew Passion in RealAudio format.
The Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies
A symposium under the title "When Words Hurt: The Gospel of John, Bach's music and Religious Intolerence". You can read the contributors notes on the anti-semitism or otherwise of the Saint John Passion.
J. S. Bach: Mass in B MinorContains a commentary on the the different movements of the Mass as well as providing background information. By Xinh.
J. S. Bach: Texts of the Complete Vocal Works with English Translation and Commentry by Z.W.AmbroseA site which contains numerous midis and mp3s of Bach's music.
Big site maintained by Margaret Greentree featuring chorale midis. There are
820 pieces here which can be downloaded. Has a lot of information about midi
files as well.
Boyung Lee Classical Mp3
This site has downloadable Mp3's including the Goldberg Variations. You do not have to download special letter characters to view this site.
Bruno de Giusti's Web
Site
Bruno's site features his own Midi transcriptions. Includes the Goldberg
Variations and rarer Midi territory such as the Six Sonatas for Harpsichord and
Violin. Enthusiast for Midi.
Classical Music Archives: J.S Bach
A massive site containing hymn melodies. Contains some Midis of Bach chorales with information on their background and texts in English. Midis can be downloaded.
DoveSong.com - Music of J.S. Bach in MP3 Format
A site which looks into the healing qualities of music. Includes a short essay on Bach and a complete version of Cantata No. 78 to download in MP3 format. Hosted by Don Robertson.
Experimental and Rhythmic Interpretations of J. S. Bach
Contains movements from the Art of Fugue arranged for jazz ensemble. Can be downloaded in either WMA or MP3 format. By Kenneth Johnson.
Harpsichord
Download an mp3 Bach excerpt played on a LEGO harpsichord constructed by Henry Lim.
http://www.botan.sakura.ne.jp/~hyacinth/Die_Kunst_der_Fuge.html
Interesting midi "orchestral version" of the Art of Fugue.
Kunst Der Fuge
Has many Bach Midis focusing on canons and fugues including different variants of a piece. Also contains detailed information on Bach's life and work.
Lou Filliger Plays the Well Tempered Klavier Book 2
Downloadable mp3's of Book 2 (complete) by this pianist.
Midi Interpretations and Compositions by S. D. Rodrian
Contains a complete Well Tempered Clavier. There are also Midi versions of keyboard works such as the complete French Suites, Partitas etc.
Midiworld
A lot of Bach Midis here including a version of the B Minor Mass and excerpts
from the St Matthew Passion. Also Bach concerto arrangements after other
composers. Lots of Handel, Shostakovich etc. as well. Downloadable.