Immerse yourself in the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach, arguably the greatest composer who ever lived.

In the Idler Academy’s online course, broadcaster and musician Sandy Burnett guides us through the principal elements of Bach’s biography and his most beautiful works.

We follow Bach’s life from his early years – he was born into a remarkable musical family in Thuringia, Germany – through to his maturity in Leipzig where he wrote the great Passions and cantatas.

Along the way, Sandy explores a few outstanding works in detail, with illustrations drawn from the very best available recordings.

We learn about Bach’s most important works including the Brandenburg Concerto and the St Matthew Passion. We end with Bach’s Mass in B Minor, completed a year before the composer’s death in 1750.

Filmed in Fenton House, Hampstead, this online course showcases one of the National Trust property’s rare harpsichords, part of a unique collection of early keyboards at Fenton and the instrument the composer wrote so many great works for.

You will emerge from the course uplifted, educated and enlightened.

The course features a 3D tour of Leipzig. You will receive course notes, a reading list, an interactive quiz and a lovely certificate on completion.

With special thanks to Ben Marks, Keeper of the Benton Fletcher Collection of Instruments.

Enter SB50 at checkout for a 50% discount on this course

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