Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-04-12

famous story connected with MIN
is his summing up of the expense
which a gift of a case OF wine by
his cousin caused him and his re-
quest that no more such presents be
sent, as they were too costly. Gifted
with a clear mathematical mind. ne
could argue point in question with
the clarity and analysis OF an advo-
cate and many letters OF his con-
else statements are in existence.
Pursued knowledge Doggedly.
Wherever an opportunity offered
for him to increase his knowledge.
he eagerly sought it out, making long
and dificult journeys or changing
his abode If necessary. Each change
brought him new inspiration which
he Immediately used for some fresh
development in his style of compo-
sition. The mode of thought OF the
time in which he lived was not help
full to him. When on his return from
his extended stay with BuXtehude,
he at once began to incorporate the
fruits of his study in his church
playing, the result was disastrous.
The congregation was upset by the
new forms and quickly demonstrated
against the innovations. Bach paid
no attention and he was called be-
fore the directing board. which noti-
fed him that complaints have been
made that you now accompany the
hymns with surprising variations
and irrevelant concentrations
which obliterate the melody and
confuse the congregation" The birth
of the new forms that were to influ-
ence composers and musicians for
evermore was not recognized.
Bach was a profoundly religious
man, inscribing his compositions
with the words, with Gods help
and devoted his life to expressing
His glory in music. He was con-
scientious and indefatigable in his
work. a loving father to his many
talented children and a good hus-
band to both his first wife. the
companion of his early struggles,
and the second. who was always
his pupil as we'll as wife. He had
no patience with mediocrity and
demanded of his pupils that they
compose mentally before setting
anything down on paper, insisting
also that they invoke the name Of
Jesus before beginning their study.
prince of Organists."
Although 1t is as composer that
his fame has become enduring, he
was an excellent organiSt and was
early called 1.-The prince of organ
lists Having put to rout the IA
nous French organist, Marchand,
who refused to meet him in COM
petition. he was acknowledged 1.-The
finest player that has ever been
known" by his contemporaries. His
delight was to visit village churches
and play the organ, astounding his
listeners with his virtuosity SO that,
as an organist once said, That must
be Bach or the devil"
So great was his fame that he
was held in awe by the musicians
Of his time. Yet he cared little for
this kind of fame. preferrnig to
spend his time with his talented
wife, Anna Magdalena, and his chill
dren, making music in his home, to
which even the nobility was proud
to be invited, and in constant COM
posing.
This arduous work in the poor
candlelight brought about the at
tack of blindness, which must have
had its beginning in his child
hood, when, against his brother S
wishes, he secretly copied the works
of the famous clavier composers Of
the period by moonlight during six
industrious months. He was oper-
ated upon by a famous English
specialist and the operation prom
Used to be successful. when a sud
den attack of apoplexy brought the
end.
He was buried with little pomp
and ceremony and with but short
announcement of his passing from
the pulpit. His grave remained un-
known and unhonored until more
than century later, when tablet
was erected to his memory on the
supposed site. His generation did
not fully recognize his genius, but
the musical world of today acknowl-
edges with reverence that In Johann
Sebastian Bach lived the peer Of all
musical minds.