Discussing Bach

ISSN 2633-9951

Discussing Bach is a multimedia web-based publication that succeeds Bach Network’s peer-reviewed journal Understanding Bach (2006–2017). Featuring scholars engaged in groundbreaking research, each issue of Discussing Bach comprises an Editorial Introduction, a link to a live video discussion with optional subtitles, an Authorised Transcript of the live discussion for citations purposes, and a list of further reading and listening. Topic-specific articles may also be published.

The aim of Discussing Bach is to stimulate discussion of new research insights. Scholars are selected to contribute because of the impact of their latest research discoveries, as well as their peer-reviewed publications, whether already in press or under contract, and/or because they are sponsored by a competitive research programme.

Our latest issue: Discussing Bach 7 (September 2024)

Published on 17 September 2024

The Future of Bach Performance

Editors: Andrew Frampton, Ruth Tatlow

An edited live discussion recorded on 14 June 2023, with John Butt, Michael Maul, Margaret Urquhart, and Mark Seow 

Video with optional subtitles (CCs)

Editorial Introduction (full text)

Authorised Transcript (full text)

N.B. When reviewing the live recording, we took the difficult decision to edit out some of the formal programme to facilitate the flow and clarity of the video discussion

Further reading

Discussing Bach 1 (October 2020), ‘Bach and Emotion: ‘Zur Recreation des Gemüths’, and Discussing Bach 4 (February 2022), ‘Bach and the Corporeality of Emotions’.

John Butt, Playing with History: The Historical Approach to Musical Performance (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002).

John Butt, ‘Bach and the Dance of Humankind’, in Davinia Caddy and Maribeth Clark (eds.), Musicology and Dance (Cambridge University Press, 2020), 19–48.

Mark Seow, ‘Metaphors for Listening in Johann Sebastian Bach’s Germany’ (PhD thesis, University of Cambridge, 2022).

Bachfest Leipzig 2023, No. 26, ‘Best of Kantaten-Jahrgang I/Best of the Annual Cycle of Cantatas 1’ (BWV 65, 73, 81 & 190), Aisling Kenny (soprano), Alex Potter (alto), Benedict Hymas (tenor), Johannes Kammler (bass), Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe Herreweghe (conductor), 10 June 2023, (Bachfest Leipzig) and  (Deutsche Welle) (accessed 15 August 2024).

Bachfest Leipzig 2023, No. 45, ‘Best of Kantaten-Jahrgang I/Best of the Annual Cycle of Cantatas 1’ (BWV 4, 66, 37 & 104), Elisabeth Breuer (soprano), Maarten Engeltjes (alto), Tilman Lichdi (tenor), Klaus Mertens (bass), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir, Ton Koopman (conductor), 11 June 2023, (accessed 15 August 2024).

J.S. Bach-Stiftung, ‘J.S. Bach Foundation’, and ‘Bachipedia’, (accessed 15 August 2024).

Netherlands Bach Society, ‘All of Bach’,  and the society’s channel (accessed 15 August 2024).

Editorial Team: Ruth Tatlow and Andrew Frampton
Technical Support: Larry Molinaro, Barbara M. Reul, and Yo Tomita
Production Support: Larry Molinaro, John Harrington, and Philipp Marx.
With thanks to the Bach-Archiv Leipzig