FAMILY BACH The picture of Bach that we usually have is that of an older, bewigged, rather ‘podgy’ looking gentleman as portrayed in his portraits. We forget that he was once a slender, vigorous young man, possibly rather arrogant and even quick-tempered, although he always presented himself in an appropriately deferential way – deferential that is according to the convention of the time. 2010 marks three anniversaries in the Bach Family: JSB 325th, his second wife Anna Magdalena’s 250th and Wilhelm Friedemann’s 300th. So here is an opportunity to reflect on Bach the family man, with all the parental ups and downs that entailed. Tragedy struck in 1720 with Maria Barbara’s sudden death, a shattering blow to Bach. Newfound happiness swiftly followed in 1721 on his marriage to Anna Magdalena, who not only bore him a further thirteen children, but also became stepmother to Maria Barbara’s four surviving ones, the highly gifted but wayward Wilhelm Friedemann and the able Carl Philipp Emanuel among them. What Bach might have been like often provokes heated discussion and there is sometimes disappointment that what we ‘think’ he was like cannot be regarded as gospel truth. Few letters and documents survive that tell us very much about him. Knowledge of life with the Bachs reveals more common ground than might be expected and creates another bridge between the centuries that helps to draw the composer and his golden treasury of music perhaps closer to us today. The Festival theme "Family Bach" will be interwoven throughout the series and have a contemporary feel about it as well. Events to be included are a Singing Day on Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, “At home with the Bachs” at the National Portrait Gallery, the 3rd Bach Singers Prize Competition, Steinitz Bach Players and Friends, The 18-30 Bach Club meeting and more besides… all presented in some of London’s most beautiful and historical settings and in a friendly atmosphere for which Bachfest is renowned. The Festival is also a driver for the London Bach Society's development campaign "Bach for Life" with forward projects to be announced at the 2010 Bachfest, an opportunity to bring new donors, members and supporters on board. www.bachlive.co.uk www.bachlive.co.uk/blog www.twitter.com/bachlive Budget: Fees £25,000, Bach Singers' Prize £2,000, Promotion Costs £14,740. Total £41,740