The reception of Bach's organ works from Mendelssohn to Brahms
By: Russell Stinson.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2006
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 240
Subjects: Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750; Performance practice (Music) -- 19th century; Organ music -- Interpretation (Phrasing, dynamics, etc.)
Description: "Bach's music has made an indelible mark on all those who compose for the organ, and in the nineteenth century, Bach's music was revived, revered, and brought to life for a musical public. In this fascinating study, Bach scholar and organist Russell Stinson examines how four major composers of the nineteenth century--Felix Mendelssohn, Robert Schumann, Franz Liszt, and Johannes Brahms--responded to the model of Bach's organ music. Whether for keyboard, voice, orchestra, or chamber ensemble, these composers not only borrowed from Bach's organ works in creating their own masterpieces, but also reacted significantly to the music as performers, editors, theorists, and teachers. The book reveals how these four titans influenced one another as "receptors" of this repertory and how their mutual acquaintances--especially Clara Schumann--contributed as well. A uniquely comprehensive discussion of this topic, The Reception of Bach's Organ Works from Mendelssohn to Brahms represents a significant contribution to the literature on the so-called Bach revival."

"Stinson considers biographical research as well as musical evidence to arrive at a host of new and often startling conclusions about precisely which pieces served as compositional exemplars and which ones were especially valued as study and performance repertoire. Replete with intriguing anecdotes, his study includes detailed observations on how these composers annotated their personal copies of Bach's organ works. Featuring a wealth of material previously unavailable in English, Stinson's up-to-date examination fills a gap in our understanding of how Bach's works were rediscovered by the musical public in the 19th century. Meticulously annotated and indexed, the book features numerous musical examples and facsimile plates as well as an exhaustive bibliography. Included in an appendix is Brahms's hitherto unpublished study score of the Fantasy in G Major, BWV 572. Engagingly written, this study should be read by anyone interested in the organ, the music of Bach, or the musical culture of the nineteenth century." [Publisher description]
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p.   ).
Table of contents: title: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. Youth ; The grand tour ; Young adulthood ; The Leipzig Bach recital ; The final years; title: Robert Schumann. Leipzig ; Dresden and beyond; title: Franz Liszt. The traveling virtuoso ; Weimar ; Transcriptions ; Relationship with A. W. Gottschalg ; The master teacher; title: Johannes Brahms. An overview ; Brahms as a scholar of Bach's organ works ; Theoretical sources ; The influence of Spitta's Bach biography ; Brahms's inscriptions in the organ-music volumes of the Bachgesellschaft edition ; The marking of themes and motives ; The marking of musical form ; The marking of rhythmic, harmonic, melodic, and contrapuntal irregularities ; Comparative readings, suggested readings, and corrections ; The marking of ornamentation ; Fingerings ; Miscellaneous annotations ; Brahms as scholar-composer : the Eleven chorale preludes, op. 122; title: Appendix : Johannes Brahms's study score of the Fantasy in G major, BWV 572; title: Notes; title: Literature cited.