[47]“Stretto,” as applied to fugues, means the following of response to subject at a closer interval of time than at first. The term is also applied to lively closing passages such as are found at the end of concerto movements and arias.
[48]Elizabeth Juliana Frederica was born in 1726. Bach’s first grandchild, the issue of this marriage, was named Johann Sebastian.
[49]On all his important works Bach inscribed the initials, “S. D. G.” (“Soli Deo Gloria”),—“To the glory of God alone.”
[50]“The Art of Fugue” includes fifteen solos, two duets for piano in fugue form, and four canons, evolved from a single theme in two parts.
[51]“H” in German represents “B natural,” “B” being reserved for “B flat.”
[52]“By his deathbed stood his wife and daughters, his youngest son, Christian, his son-in-law, Altnikol, and his pupil, Müthel. He had been working with Altnikol only a few days before his death. An organ chorale, composed in a former time, was floating in his mind, ready as he was to die, and he wanted to complete and perfect it. He dictated and Altnikol wrote. ‘Wenn wir in höchsten Nöthen sein’ (‘Lord, when we are in direst need’) was the name he had originally given it; he now adapted the sentiment to another hymn and wrote above it ‘Vor Deinen Thron tret ich hiermit’ (‘Before Thy throne with this I come’).”
[53]“In the church which for twenty-seven years Bach’s mighty tones had so often filled, the preacher announced from the pulpit, ‘The very worthy and venerable Herr Johann Sebastian Bach, court composer to His Kingly Majesty of Poland and Elector and Serene Highness of Saxony, chapelmaster to His Highness the Prince of Anhalt-Cöthen, and Cantor to the School of St. Thomas in town, having fallen calmly and blessedly asleep in God, his body has this day, according to Christian usage, been consigned to earth.’ His grave was near the church, but when, within this century, the graveyard was removed farther from the church and the old site opened as a roadway, Bach’s grave, with many others, was obliterated, and it is now no longer possible to determine the spot where his bones were laid to rest.”—Spitta’s “Life of Bach,” Vol. III, p. 275.
LIFE STORIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Translated from the German by
GEORGE P. UPTON
8 Vols. Ready