Bach & Sons (NHB Modern Plays)

Johann Sebastian Bach was an irascible and turbulent composer who wrote music of sensuous delight and deep religious fervor. He was in constant trouble with his patrons due to his high standards and his rivalry with his sons, Wilhelm and Carl. Nina Raine's play "Bach & Sons" is a gripping family drama and an anthem to the art that draws us together and sings of our common humanity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 24 June 2021
Publisher: Nick Hern Books

Johann Sebastian Bach, a renowned composer known for his irascible and turbulent personality, possessed a remarkable ability to create music that exuded both sensuous delight and profound religious fervor. His compositions were characterized by a touchy demeanor, a fabulously rude attitude, impossibly high standards, and a constant struggle with his patrons. Music, in the Bach family, was a legacy passed down from generation to generation. However, the burden of their father's genius weighed heavily on his sons. Wilhelm, the eldest son, possessed remarkable brilliance but was plagued by self-destructive tendencies. Tense and industrious, Carl, the younger son, achieved greater success than his father but often felt inadequate in comparison to his talented older brother. As the years unfolded, their rivalry sparked furious arguments about love, God, and, above all, music. What was the true purpose of music? Was it merely a means of providing pleasure, like a cup of coffee on a sunny day, or did it hold the power to reveal the divine order that gave life its meaning?

Nina Raine's play, "Bach & Sons," is a captivating family drama that delves into these profound questions. Set in the late 18th century, the play follows the lives of the Bach family, showcasing their complex relationships and the struggles they face. Through the characters of J. S. Bach, Wilhelm, and Carl, Raine explores the themes of love, devotion, and the pursuit of artistic excellence. The play premiered at the Bridge Theatre in London in June 2021, directed by Nicholas Hytner, with Simon Russell Beale playing the role of J. S. Bach. "Bach & Sons" is a testament to the power of music to connect people, transcend boundaries, and evoke emotions that are universal to human experience. It serves as an anthem to the art that unites us and sings of our shared humanity.

Weight: 124g
Dimension: 129 x 199 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781839040139