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Rebellious Streak

Donald Macleod follows the trail of Johann Sebastian Bach as he makes his way in the world. Today, the young Bach flouts authority.

Johann Sebastian Bach is a towering cultural icon, a composer who might be seen as the poster boy for “serious music” and spent most of his career in the service of the church. But he played many roles in the course of his life, and could be funny, sassy, conniving, obstinate, and rebellious. This week, along with the “worldly” Bach, we’ll get to know his secular music, and follow his trail as he makes his way in the world, from courts to coffee houses, building a family, two-timing his bosses, and even a stint behind bars.

Today, we start with some colourful stories from Bach’s youth - flouting authority, and showing a glimpse of the man he’d become…

Brandenburg Concerto No 5, BWV1050 (i. Allegro)
Freiburg Baroque Orchestra

Flute Sonata in E minor, BWV1034
Emmanuel Pahud, flute
Jonathan Manson, cello
Trevor Pinnock, harpsichord

Capriccio in honorem Johann Christoph Bach BWV993
Angela Hewitt, piano

Partita for solo violin No. 2 in D minor, BWV1004 (v. Chaconne)
Christian Tetzlaff, violin

Organ Sonata No 4, BWV528
Simon Preston, organ

Lute Suite No 1 in E minor, BWV996
Sean Shibe, guitar

Produced by Amelia Parker for ѿý Audio Wales and West

Release date:

59 minutes

On radio

Mon 13 Oct 2025 16:00

Broadcast

  • Mon 13 Oct 2025 16:00

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