Possible Portrait of Bach with his three sons.

1727 Müller organ at Jacobijnerkerk, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands

1829 Lohman organ at the Hervormde Kerk, Farmsum, The Netherlands

1991 Ahrend organ at the Basilica of San Simpliciano, Milan, Italy

1982 Oberlinger organ at Marktkirche [Market Church], Wiesbaden, Germany

Sebastian and Sons

What a challenge it must have been, growing up in the household of the world’s foremost organist, and knowing Dad expected you to follow in his footsteps. On our next Pipedreams broadcast, we’ll listen to the music of four of Johann Sebastian Bach’s most gifted offspring, each of them rising to the challenge with capability and individuality. From Wilhelm Friedemann’s quirky fugues to Carl Phillip Emmanuel’s Sonatas, the chamber music of Johann Christoph Friedrich, and the concertos of trail-blazer Johann Christian, you’ll be amazed at the craftsmanship so skillfully displayed by this most unique family.

Like father like son? Well, almost, as you’ll discover when we compare the various musics of the four most talented Bach children with the example of their father. He set an incredible standard, which each boy worked hard to achieve in music Baroque and Beyond. It’s Sebastian and Sons, this week on Pipedreams.

Listen to the program

Program Broadcast dates:

•March 3, 1997 as Show #9709

•August 27, 2001 as Show #0135

Music played in the program

J.S. BACH: Toccata in C, S, 564 –Harald Vogel (1991 Ahrend/Basilica of San Simpliciano, Milan, Italy) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM-1024

W.F. BACH: 2 Fugues for Keyboard, F. 31, number 1 in C; number 4 in d; –Leo van Doeselaar (1828 Lohman/Reformed Church, Farmsum, The Netherlands) Etcetera 2003-1

W.F. BACH: Fugue in B-flat, F.34 –Leo van Doeselaar (1727 Müller/Jacobijnerkerk, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands) Etcetera 2003

C.P.E. BACH: Sonata in F, Wq.70, #3 –Roger Sherman (1979+1989 Brombaugh/Christ Church, Tacoma, WA) reZound RZCD-5002

J.C. BACH: Concerto Number 5 in E-flat –London Bach Consort; Stephen Farr (Kenneth Tickell trunk organ) Meridian CD-84295

J.C.F. BACH: Cello Sonata in A –Anner Bylsma, cello; Bob van Asperen (1985 Fama & Raadgever trunk organ) Sony Vivarte SK 45945

W.F. BACH: 3 Chorale-preludes, F.38: Number 2, Christe, der du bist; Number 6, Wir Christenleut; Number 5, Wir danken dir; Fugue in g, F.37 –Wolfgang Baumgratz (1798 Holzhay/Neresheim Abbey, Germany) Christophorus CHR 77109

J.S. BACH: Adagio & Fugue in C, S, 564 –Harald Vogel (1991 Ahrend/Basilica of San Simpliciano, Milan, Italy) Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM-1024

Though the young fellows did accomplish some remarkable things with their lives, there’s no question that it’s their father’s organ music which reigns supreme.