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Music in the Castle of Heaven
Music in the Castle of Heaven: A Portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach | John Eliot Gardiner
5 posts | 3 read | 6 to read
Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most unfathomable composers in the history of music. How can such sublime work have been produced by a man who seems so ordinary, so opaque - and occasionally so intemperate? In this remarkable book, John Eliot Gardiner distils the fruits of a lifetime's immersion as one of Bach's greatest living interpreters. Explaining in wonderful detail how Bach worked and how his music achieves its effects, he also takes us as deeply into Bach's works and mind as perhaps words can. The result is a unique book about one of the greatest of all creative artists. 'Gardiner is the supreme interpreter of Bach in our time . . . extraordinarily vivid . . . brings us into the very presence of the man. A must read.' Raymond Tallis, The Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year 'Magisterial . . . an awesome achievement.' Richard Morrison, The Times 'Tremendous . . . sets the life and the music in a historical perspective where every detail is relevant and every comment illuminating. Simply as a biography this is splendid, but the fact that it comes with such a wealth of musical understanding and experience makes it invaluable.' Philip Pullman 'There could be no better-qualified guide to the mysteries behind Bach's music than the conductor who has breathed new life into its performance . . . this book will now be required reading.' Michael Church, Independent 'Made me want to rush and listen to all the music he writes about, whether familiar or unfamiliar . . . wonderful.' Sir Simon Rattle 'Highly personal and passionate . . . A profound and deeply scholarly investigation of the roots and nature of Bach's extraordinary art . . . sure to be found on the bookshelves of Bach-lovers for many years to come.' Adam Lively, Sunday Times
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MrBook
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😂😂😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #LitsyHumor

BookaholicNatty 😂😂😂😂 6y
Lreads Excellent! 😂👏 6y
rwmg No, but it will play the Water Music 6y
arlenefinnigan @rwmg hahahaha! 😂👏 6y
Ddzmini 🤣🤣🤣 6y
153 likes5 comments
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ssravp
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Pickpick

So much to digest in this. There were sections I skimmed but still feel like I couldn't take in everything that read.

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ssravp
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BookBabe
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Adding this beautiful Bach book to my TBR. He's always been one of my favorite composers — his Fugue makes me weak in the knees. 🎼🎶🎹

OSChamberlain So pretty! 😱 8y
annahenke Beautiful instrument! 8y
BookBabe @ahenke Thank you! It was my mother's. We used to play it together when I was little. ❤️ 8y
See All 10 Comments
Merethebookgal Beautiful photo/book/instrument! I love me some Bach as well- I had Sheep May Safely Graze played for my bridesmaid processional. 😊 8y
[DELETED] 2232195534 Gorgeous organ! I used to play long ago. 8y
ssravp Ooh! I'm going to have to check that out! 8y
Sue Whoa nice organ!! 8y
Blair_Reads Great photo!! 8y
BookBabe @Merethebookgal Thanks! That's awesome! 8y
115 likes4 stack adds10 comments
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DMorgan
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The contrast between the text and the reading venue is notable.