The Temple of Fame and Friendship: Portraits, Music, and History in the C. P. E. Bach Circle

This book explores C. P. E. Bach's portrait collection, which was a significant part of his work to establish music as an object of aesthetic, philosophical, and historical study. Annette Richardss reconstruction of the collection brings it to life, showing how it was used to analyze the "portraitive" aspect of Bach's music and cultivate and preserve friendship. Richards also explores how the new music historiography of the late eighteenth century was indebted to portrait collecting.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

This captivating book delves into the renowned portrait collection assembled by C. P. E. Bach, the esteemed second son of J. S. Bach. C. P. E. Bach, a renowned German composer of the eighteenth century, dedicated decades to curating an extensive collection of approximately four hundred music-related items, encompassing a diverse range of mediums such as oil paintings and engraved prints. Tragically, after Bach's passing in 1788, the collection was dispersed. However, through the meticulous efforts of Annette Richardss, the portraits have been painstakingly reconstructed, reviving a vibrant portrayal of music history and culture.

Richards goes beyond a mere collection of faces, asserting that the collection played a pivotal role in Bach's artistic endeavor, aimed at establishing music as a subject of aesthetic, philosophical, and historical exploration. The Temple of Fame and Friendship vividly brings C. P. E. Bach's collection to life, offering readers a glimpse into the experience of touring the portrait gallery and immersing oneself in the music-filled rooms adorned with the faces of friends, colleagues, and forebears.

Through her analysis of the "portraitive" aspect of Bach's music, Richardss engages with the influential theories of Swiss physiognomist Johann Caspar Lavater. She also explores the collection as a means of cultivating and preserving friendship, drawing connections to the culture of remembrance that resonates in Bach's domestic music. Richards demonstrates how the late eighteenth-century music historiography, characterized by anecdote, memoir, and verbal portraiture, owes a significant debt to portrait collecting and its intricate negotiation between presence and detachment, fact and feeling.

This insightful book not only sheds light on the remarkable portrait collection assembled by C. P. E. Bach but also provides a deeper understanding of the composer's artistic vision, the significance of music in his life, and the broader cultural context in which he operated. It serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of J. S. Bach and his profound impact on the world of music.

Dimension: 254 x 178 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226806266