Was J.S. Bach the greatest composer who ever lived?
Quite possibly he was. When Mozart was introduced to Bach’s music (by Saliari!) Mozart wrote nothing for 3 months saying Bach has said it all. Scholars say that they can find only one Bach manuscript that Bach abandoned because it wasn’t working. Everything else works. You can earn a PhD in music if you can perform a credible analysis of the Kyrie of the Mass in B minor, not the whole mass, just the Kyrie. Bach’s music is not only extremely well planned and “intellectualized” with a good reason why every note is where it is, it is also among the most satisfying music ever created. Bach did not consider himself an artist, merely a competent artisan. When praised for his music Bach said the compliment made him feel like an architect who is praised because his buildings don’t fall down and kill people. Quite an insight into his personality!
