Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Map of Northern Germany in the time of J. S. Bach
- Map of Thuringia and Saxony in the time of J. S. Bach
- 1 Early years 1685–1703
- 2 First appointments 1703–8
- 3 Weimar 1708–17
- 4 Cöthen 1717–23
- 5 Leipzig, the first years
- 6 Leipzig, the middle years
- 7 Leipzig, the final years
- 8 Observations, descriptions, criticisms
- Epilogue
- Postscript
- Glossary
- List of references
- Index of works (BWV)
- Index of names
4 - Cöthen 1717–23
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 December 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Map of Northern Germany in the time of J. S. Bach
- Map of Thuringia and Saxony in the time of J. S. Bach
- 1 Early years 1685–1703
- 2 First appointments 1703–8
- 3 Weimar 1708–17
- 4 Cöthen 1717–23
- 5 Leipzig, the first years
- 6 Leipzig, the middle years
- 7 Leipzig, the final years
- 8 Observations, descriptions, criticisms
- Epilogue
- Postscript
- Glossary
- List of references
- Index of works (BWV)
- Index of names
Summary
THE CALL TO CÖTHEN
When our Bach had come back to Weimar [after the Dresden competition], and in the same year, the then Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, a great connoisseur and lover of music, called him to be his Capellmeister. He took up the position without delay and held it for almost six years, to the greatest satisfaction of his gracious prince.
(Obituary)One reason Bach took up the position ‘without delay’ was that he was probably being paid some kind of retainer by Cöthen before the Dresden visit, whenever this took place in the autumn of 1717. The visit cannot have been later than early November – because from 6 November to 2 December 1717 Johann Sebastian Bach was in prison in Weimar, held in the ‘district judge's chamber’ or cell (LandRichter-Stube), on account of his ‘show of obstinacy and for over-pressing his dismissal’ (halßstarrigen Bezeugung und erzwingenden dimission: Dok II, 65), and was eventually released only on a dishonourable discharge. The Obituary says nothing about any of this, unless ‘without delay’ is an elliptical allusion to it: Bach so wanted to be free of Weimar he did not hesitate when the chance came, quickly removed himself, and later spoke about it in these terms.
Evidently, he had been accused and convicted by the duke on two charges, obstinacy and importunity, but neither is quite clear now.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- J. S. BachA Life in Music, pp. 122 - 160Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2007