Bachtrack top ten: Johann Sebastian Bach

Johann Sebastian Bach, portrait by Elias Gottlob Haussmann (1746)

By Mark Pullinger, 31 March 2024

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“I play the notes as they are written, but it is God who makes the music”

Bachtrack, 1st April

Renowned harpsichordist Jean Rondeau presents a new view of Bach’s Goldberg Variations at this year’s Bachfest Schaffhausen, including in arrangement for Baroque ensemble, and as a new composition for piano, percussion and electronics inspired by the cycle.

The music in mathematics: a conversation with Bertrand Maury

Laura Servidei, 22nd January

At the intersection of mathematics and music, the Festum Pi festival brings together theorists and performers to explore one of humanity’s oldest intellectual duets. We spoke with participant Professor Bertrand Maury, acclaimed mathematician and a concert pianist, about this enduring connection.

The magical world of composers’ handwriting

Lawrence Dunn, 17th December

From Buxtehude, Bach and Handel, to contemporary composer Liza Lim, we take a tour of the myriad forms of composers’ handwriting and calligraphy – and how music makes itself on the page.

Two rediscovered organ works by JS Bach performed in Leipzig

Bachtrack, 18th November

The two newly attributed pieces lay overlooked in manuscript form, until researcher Peter Wollny was able to firmly identify them as being by a 20-year-old JS Bach.

Rhythmical kinship: Kim Brandstrup on Breaking Bach

Jonathan Gray, 31st October

Choreographer Kim Brandstrup talks about his remarkable collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and a group of professional hip-hop dancers and students from Camden’s Acland Burghley School.

I don’t like museums: Alexandre Tharaud

Elodie Olson-Coons, 3rd March

The French pianist speaks candidly about his career, his love of French music, and his upcoming recital in Lugano.

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.