J.S. Bach
Well-Tempered Clavier, Mass in B minor
The supreme musician. Bach's music is the Summa of Western music — contrapuntal mastery, harmonic depth, emotional range, and spiritual intensity combined in a body of work that has no real rival. Beethoven called him the original father of harmony.
Key works
- Well-Tempered Clavier1722/1742— 48 preludes and fugues — the keyboard bible
- Mass in B minor~1749— The greatest choral work
- St Matthew Passion1727— Sacred drama of overwhelming power
- Art of Fugue~1750— Counterpoint pushed to its limit