The J. S. Bach Files Podcast

Episode 50: Bach’s “Art of Fugue,” BWV 1080

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 08:00:44 -0500

We’ll look at some of the fugues from Bach’s “Art of Fugue,” BWV 1080.

Episode 49: Bach’s “Musical Offering,” BWV 1079

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 08:26:20 -0600

We’ll look at the ricercars, trio sonata and canons of the “Musical Offering.”

Episode 48: Bach’s “Organ Mass” (Clavier-Ubung III)

Thu, 20 Jan 2022 08:13:05 -0600

We’ll look at Bach’s “Organ Mass” (Clavier-Ubung or “Keyboard Practice” III) including the Trinity Prelude and Fugue and a sampling of the chorale preludes contained in the collection.

Episode 47: Bach‘s Cantatas for Alto Soloist

Thu, 09 Dec 2021 07:57:51 -0600

We’ll focus on BWV 35, “Spirit and Soul Become Confused,” and BWV 170, “Contented Peace.”

Episode 46: Bach’s Partitas, BWV 825-830

Tue, 02 Nov 2021 08:07:46 -0500

We’ll focus on Bach’s Partita No. 4 in D major, BWV 828, but also take a look at the opening movements of the other five partitas.

Episode 45: Bach’s Cantatas for Bass Soloist

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 07:19:04 -0500

We’ll look at “Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen,” BWV 56 (“Gladly I will carry the Cross-Staff”), and “Ich Habe Genung,” BWV 82 (“I have enough”).

Episode 44: Bach’s Music for Lute

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 07:27:25 -0500

We’ll focus on the Suite in E Minor, BWV 996, and the Suite in C Minor, BWV 997.

Episode 43: Bach's Trio Sonatas

Fri, 16 Jul 2021 08:50:04 -0500

We’ll look at two of Bach’s trio sonatas: the Sonata in G major for Two Flutes, BWV 1039; and Bach’s Sonata in Eb for organ, BWV 525, in both the original and a trio sonata version.

Episode 42: Bach’s Cantatas for Soprano: BWV 199 & BWV 52

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:15:26 -0500

We’ll look at two of Bach’s cantatas for soprano soloist: BWV 199, “My Heart Swims in Blood,” and BWV 52, “False World, I Do Not trust you.”

Episode 41: Bach's Toccatas for Keyboard

Mon, 03 May 2021 08:33:10 -0500

We’ll focus on the Toccata in D major, BWV 912, and the Toccata in C minor, BWV 911.

Episode 40: Bach's St. Matthew Passion, part 2

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 07:11:47 -0500

We'll look at part 2 of the St. Matthew Passion.

Episode 39: Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, part 1

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:59:36 -0600

We’ll look at part 1 of the St. Matthew Passion.

Episode 38: Bach's Italian Concerto, BWV 971; French Overture, BWV 831; & Fantasie, BWV 906

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 07:45:56 -0600

We’ll look at the Italian Concerto, BWV 971; the French Overture, BWV 831; and the Fantasie, BWV 906.

Episode 37: Bach's Motets, BWV 225-231

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 07:48:40 -0600

We’re going to focus on Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (“Sing onto the Lord a New Song”), BWV 225; Lobet den Herrn (“Praise the Lord”), BWV 230; and Jesu meine Freund (“Jesus, my Joy”), BWV 227.

Episode 36: Bach's Two- and Three-Part Inventions

Fri, 27 Nov 2020 08:42:20 -0600

We’ll look at a sampling of the two-part inventions—Invention No. 1 in C major, No. 2 in C Minor, No 4 in D minor, No, 6 in E major, and No. 8 in F major. We’ll also look at two of the three-part inventions (or Sinfonia)—No. 3 in D major, and No. 9 in F minor.

Episode 35: Bach's Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Harpsichord, BWV 1028-1029

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 09:12:34 -0500

We’ll look at the Sonata in D major, BWV 1028, and the Sonata in G minor, BWV 1029.

Episode 34: Bach's English Suites, BWV 806-811

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 08:25:42 -0500

We’ll look at the English Suites, BWV 806-811, with a focus on Suite No. 2 in A Minor.

Episode 33: Bach's Contemporaries--G. F. Handel. part 2

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 09:48:59 -0500

We’ll look at Handel’s instrumental music, including his keyboard sonata in A Major; his Sonata in G minor for Violin and Continuo, Op. 1, No. 6; his Concerto in Bb major, Op 3, No. 1; his Organ Concerto in F major , Op. 4, No. 4; and brief excerpts from the Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks.

Episode 32: Bach's Contemporaries--G. F. Handel, part 1

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:34:57 -0500

We’re going to look at the Chandos Anthem No. 2, “In the Lord Put I My Trust”; the Coronation Anthem, “Zadok the Priest”; and parts of the opera “Julius Caesar in Egypt” and the oratorio “Jephtha.”

Episode 31: Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, part 2

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 08:59:01 -0500

We’ll look at Sonata No. 2 in A minor, BWV 1003, and Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004.

Episode 30: Bach’s Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin, part 1

Thu, 14 May 2020 07:42:35 -0500

We’ll look at Sonata No.1 in F Minor, BWV 1001, and Partita No, 1 in B Minor, BWV 1002.

Episode 29: Bach's Cantatas for Quasimodo Geniti Sunday

Tue, 14 Apr 2020 08:01:06 -0500

We’ll look at two cantatas from Quasimodo Geniti Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter: Cantata BWV 67, titled in English Translation “Hold in Remembrance Jesus Christ,” and BWV 42, in English Translation "On the Evening of the Same Sabbath.”

Episode 28: Bach's Early Works for Organ

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 10:05:33 -0500

We’re going to look at various early organ works by Bach including Prelude and Fugue in C Major, BWV 531; Prelude and Fugue in E Minor, BWV 533; “Little” G Minor Fugue, BWV 578; Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565; and Chorale Prelude BWV 599 from “Das Orgel-Buchlein.”

Episode 27: Bach's Goldberg Variations, BWV 988

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 08:06:15 -0600

We’re going to look at Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations, BWV 988, perhaps the most remarkable set of variations composed in the Baroque period.

Episode 26: Bach's Contemporaries--G. P. Telemann, part 2

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 08:33:29 -0600

We’re going to surveyTelemann’s instrumental music, from unaccompanied works for violin to keyboard fantasias, solo sonatas, trio sonatas, quartets, and works for orchestra.

Episode 25: Bach's Christmas Cantatas

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 07:49:10 -0600

We’re going to look at two of Bach’s Christmas Cantatas, BWV 91, “Praised Be You, Jesus Christ,” and BWV 110, “May Our Mouths be filled with Laughter.”

Episode 24: Bach's Contemporaries--G. P. Telemann, part 1

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 08:20:56 -0600

We’ll survey the vocal/choral music of G. P. Telemann.

Episode 23: Bach's Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, part 2

Fri, 01 Nov 2019 10:39:14 -0500

We'll look at two more of Bach's sonatas for violin with harpsichord obbligato: Sonata No. 5 in F Minor, BWV 1018; and Sonata No. 6 in G Major, BWV 1019.

Episode 22: Bach's Sonatas for Violin and Harpsichord, part 1

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 18:48:54 -0500

We'll look at two of Bach's sonatas for violin with harpsichord obbligato: Sonata No. 1 in B Minor, BWV 1014, and Sonata No. 2 in A Major, BWV 1015.

Episode 21: Bach's Wedding Cantatas--BWV 202 & BWV 195

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 08:46:57 -0500

We'll look at two of Bach's Wedding Cantatas: BWV 202 and BWV 195.

Episode 20: Bach’s French Suites—No. 1 in D minor, BWV 812; No. 5 in G major, BWV 816

Fri, 12 Jul 2019 10:34:41 -0500

We’ll look at two of Bach’s French Suites: No. 1 in D Minor (BWV 812) and No. 5 in G Major (BWV 816).

Episode 19: Bach's Flute Sonatas---Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034; Sonata in B minor, BWV 1030

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 07:24:45 -0500

We'll look at two of Bach's Flute Sonatas: Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034; and Sonata in B minor, BWV 1030.

Episode 18: Bach’s Early Works for Keyboard--BWV 992 & BWV 963

Thu, 09 May 2019 08:08:15 -0500

We’ll look at two of Bach’s early works for keyboard: “Capriccio on the Departure of His Most Beloved Brother,” BWV 992; and the Sonata in D Major, BWV 963.

Episode 17: Bach's St. John Passion, part 2

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:23:30 -0500

We'll look at part 2 of Bach's St. John Passion.

Episode 16: Bach's St. John Passion, part 1

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 08:38:28 -0500

We'll look at part 1 of Bach's St. John Passion, BWV 245.

Episode 15: Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suites Nos. 1 & 2

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 16:17:29 -0500

We'll look at Bach's first two unaccompanied cello suites, No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007, and No. 2 in D Minor, BWV 1008.

Episode 14: Bach's Orchestral Suites, part 2

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:58:23 -0600

We'll look at the last two Orchestral Suites: No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068; and No. 4 in D Major , BWV 1069.

Episode 13: Bach's Orchestral Suites, part 1

Thu, 10 Jan 2019 11:18:05 -0600

We'll look at the first two Orchestral Suites: No. 1 in C Major, BWV 1066; and No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067.

Episode 12: Bach's Christmas Oratorio, part 2

Sat, 08 Dec 2018 10:07:23 -0600

We'll look at the final three sections of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248.

Episode 11: Bach's Christmas Oratorio, part 1

Sat, 01 Dec 2018 09:36:29 -0600

We'll look at the first three sections of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248

Episode 10: Bach's B Minor Mass, part 2

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 09:05:35 -0600

We'll look at the concluding movements of Bach's B Minor Mass.

Episode 9: Bach's B Minor Mass, part 1

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 08:59:11 -0500

We'll take a look at the Kyrie and Gloria sections of Bach's famous B Minor Mass.

Episode 8: Bach’s Concertos, part 4—“Triple Concerto,” in A Minor, BWV 1044; Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056; Concerto for Two Harpsichords and Strings in C Major, BWV 1061

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 09:37:28 -0500

We’ll look at our final three Bach concertos: the “Triple Concerto,” in A Minor, BWV 1044; the Harpsichord Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056; and the Concerto for Two Harpsichords and Strings in C Major, BWV 1061.

Episode 7: Bach's Concertos, part 3--Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 4, 2 & 5

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 14:50:38 -0500

We'll look at the three remaining Brandenburg Concertos, Nos. 4,2 & 5.

Episode 6: Bach's Concertos, part 2--Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 3, 6 & 1

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 13:32:27 -0500

We'll look at three of Bach's famous Brandenburg Concertos: Nos. 3, 6 & 1.

Episode 5: Bach's Concertos, part 1

Mon, 06 Aug 2018 12:46:43 -0500

We'll look at Bach's three most famous violin concertos: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in A Minor, BWV 1041; Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in E Major, BWV 1042; and Concerto for Two Violins and Orchestra in D Minor (the "Double" Concerto), BWV 1043.

Episode No. 4: Bach's Secular Cantatas

Sun, 22 Jul 2018 21:37:44 -0500

We'll look at three of Bach's most famous secular cantatas: BWV 208, "What pleases me above all is the lively hunt" (The "Hunt" cantata); BWV 211, "Keep quiet, don't chatter" (The "Coffee" Cantata); BWV 212, "We have a new overseer" (The "Peasant" Cantata).

Episode No. 3: Bach's Sacred Cantatas at Leiplzig

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:14:04 -0500

We'll take a look at some of Bach's sacred cantatas composed in Leipzig, notably BWV 68, "God so loved the world"; BWV 78, "Jesus, by whom my soul"; BWV 80, "A Might Fortress is my God"; BWV 140, "Wake up, the voice calls us" ("Sleepers awake"); and BWV 51, "Shout to Joy for God in every land."

Episode No. 2: Bach’s Sacred Cantatas at Weimar

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 16:12:23 -0500

Bach accepts a position at the court of Weimar and composes some of his most colorful cantatas. We’ll take a closer look at three sacred cantatas: BWV 182, "King of heaven, welcome"; BWV 31, "The heavens laugh"; and BWV 63, "Christians, engrave this day."

Episode No. 1: Bach’s Earliest Cantatas

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 15:16:23 -0500

We begin with a quick overview of Bach’s early years and takes a closer look at some of his earliest scared cantatas, including BWV 131, "Out of the depths I cry, Lord, to you"; BWV 4, "Christ lay in death's bonds"; and BWV 106, "God's time is the very best time," composed while living in Arnstadt and Muhlhausen.