Late Mix: Musical Offering

Frederick the Great, King and flautist,
was not a fan of ‘high’ Baroque music,
much preferring a more galant and
uncomplicated style. So when the King
of Prussia challenged the aging JS Bach
to improvise on an awkward, chromatic
theme he seemed to have completely
underestimated the old master. Not
only did Bach astound the court with his
improvisation on the ‘Royal Theme’ but
he later published it at his own expense,
a work that is as ‘Baroque’ as it gets,
a prominent flute part being his only
reverence to his royal challenger.
Tickets: £16