An aspect of harmony in music of Johann Sebastian Bach

Abstract

Understanding Bach through Science, Art and Criticism. International Symposium on Johann Sebastian Bach. University of Oxford. 17 and 18 December 2001

Introduction In 1752 F. W. Marpurg wrote in his "Vorwort zum Neudruck der Kunst der Fuge (Berlin), that Johann Sebastian Bach had a "tiefen Wissenschaft und Ausubung der Harmonie" [" a deep knowledge and grasp of harmony"] not surpassed by any of his contemporaries, see (5.1). And I think, nowadays we agree with Marpurg, also after comparing with 250 years more of written music.- I will try to "understand", to approach Bach's harmony, by analyzing one aspect of it.