![]() ![]() Upon returning from a trip to Karlsbad in 1720, Bach was confounded by the news that his wife, Maria Barbara, had died and was already buried. ![]() Bach and the prince became close friends, and he often accompanied the prince on his journeys. From the Cöthen period date the Brandenburg Concertos, the four orchestral Suites, the Partitas, Suites, and Sonatas for solo and accompanied violin and cello, and the French Suites for keyboard. He was now expected to produce secular instrumental music, and he did so, as was his custom, with great energy and all his heart and soul. Cöthen was in Saxony where Calvinism predominated at the time, and there was little music in the local churches (with the exception of the Lutheran Agnuskirche where Bach worshipped and went to practice the organ). Only a few cantatas were composed to celebrate royal birthdays and special occasions. Bach was delighted to work for someone who both “loved and understood music.” On taking up his new duties, Bach relinquished the composition of organ and choral music that had occupied him previously in Weimar. The young prince (only twenty-three years old in 1717) was a viola da gamba player of great skill and had an eighteen-piece orchestra of excellent caliber. The six years that Johann Sebastian Bach spent as Capellmeister to Prince Leopold of Anhalt- Cöthen (1717–23) were some of the happiest of his life. 19: Prelude and Fugue in A major, BwV 864 18: Prelude and Fugue in G sharp minor, BwV 863 ![]() 17: Prelude and Fugue in A flat major, BwV 862 16: Prelude and Fugue in G minor, BwV 861 15: Prelude and Fugue in G major, BwV 860 14: Prelude and Fugue in F sharp minor, BwV 859 13: Prelude and Fugue in F sharp major, BwV 858 12: Prelude and Fugue in F minor, BwV 857 11: Prelude and Fugue in F major, BwV 856 10: Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BwV 855 ![]() 8: Prelude and Fugue in E flat minor, BwV 853 7: Prelude and Fugue in E flat major, BwV 852 4: Prelude and Fugue in C sharp minor, BwV 849 3: Prelude and Fugue in C sharp major, BwV 848 ![]()
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