A pupil named Voigt is mentioned by Emmanuel Bach as having come to his father after he (Emmanuel) had left the house. Perhaps he is the author of a “Conversation between an organist and his deputy about music,” mentioned by Walther.
Gotthilf Ziegler, organist and music director at St Ulrich, Halle, was a renowned teacher, composer and writer.
Ernst Bach, his cousin, was Capellmeister at Eisenach, having first studied law, and become a barrister. He was also a composer and organist.
J. H. Müthel, organist in Riga, a good performer and composer. Gerber gives a long account of him, and Burney praises his playing and compositions.[74]
Bach’s music in England
We have seen that the first attempt to publish the Wohltemperirte Clavier was made in London. England was early in its recognition of the composer, chiefly through the efforts of Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) who, becoming acquainted with his works, eagerly propagated a knowledge of them. Wesley’s edition of the Wohltemperirte Clavier was published in conjunction with C. F. Horn in 1810; and through his influence, Forkel’s “Life” of Bach was translated and published in 1820. He became famous for his performances of Bach’s organ fugues, or as they were called in those days “pedal fugues,” and perhaps the name of his third son, Samuel Sebastian, may have some connection with his admiration for Sebastian Bach.
In 1849 the English Bach Society was founded, having as its objects the collection of the compositions and the performance of the works of J. S. Bach. It gave the first performance of the “Matthew Passion” in England at Hanover Square Rooms in 1854 under Sterndale Bennett. After a few more performances the society was dissolved in 1870, and its library given to the Royal Academy of Music.
In 1875 the “Bach Choir” was formed under the conductorship of Mr Otto Goldschmidt, for the performance of the B minor Mass, which was effected in 1876 at St James’s Hall, and the society was then placed on a permanent footing for the purpose of performing works of Bach and other composers. In 1885 Mr Otto Goldschmidt was succeeded by Professor Villiers Stanford, under whose bâton many of Bach’s important works have been performed.
Bach is perhaps best known in England at present by his organ works, which are familiar to all competent organists, and his violin solos, which Herr Joachim has done so much to propagate. The Wohltemperirte Clavier is a household word to every earnest musician, and his Passions of St Matthew and St John, besides the Christmas Oratorio and a few cantatas, are frequently performed in London churches.
Selections from the organ works have been published in England from time to time: by S. Wesley, by Coventry and Hollier (with the pedal part arranged by Dragonetti for double bass), by Best and by Novello with Best as editor. A complete edition is being brought out by Sir F. Bridge and Mr J. Higgs.