The music of Bach is one of the pinnacles of Western culture, and the breadth of his achievement has led some scholars to refer to him as the “Newton of music.” His works continue to affect the course of music even today. Yet for many years after his death understanding of Bach was very limited, and it was only in the 19th century that a widespread appreciation of his genius began.

This course studies both Bach’s music and its effect on various 19th-century composers, such as Chopin, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Brahms, Saint-Sa�ns and Rachmaninov. Relationships between specific compositions of Bach and those of later composers are examined, and students will gain a deeper appreciation of all the music presented. The main focus of this course is keyboard music, although there will be a brief mention and an examination of works for other instruments. No special training in music is required for students.