WTF Bach
Evan ShinnersJ.S. Bach explained: Music analysis, Baroque history, counterpoint and performance practice. A classical music podcast for listeners who want to understand what they're hearing. Weekly history, Well-Tempered Clavier, Brandenburg Concertos, St. Matthew Passion, The Art of Fugue, Cello Suites, and more. Classical music education for all levels! wtfbach.substack.com
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 160 | Founded | 7 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Music CommentaryMusicMusic History | |||
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Latest Episodes
We’ve now covered the seven surviving earliest vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach! This episode is a brief tour through the episodes we dedicated to these pieces, refreshing our memories and attempting to identify unifying stylistic features.
All ... more
“The consummate expressiveness of {BWV 4] has always been marvelled at. Each verse is as if chiselled in music.” -Albert Schweitzer, Vol. 2
Bach’s early Easter cantata remains one of the most beloved in the entire canon. Barely 22 years old, he is a... more
Sometimes an article from the EB strikes me as so amusing, I simply have to share it with you. See you next week (or the week after, latest) for the conclusion of our early cantata survey, with Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4. Thanks for listening!... more
Q: If, after you attended a Bach concert, someone told you that your favorite piece on the program was not, after all, by Bach… how would you feel?
Does this cantata actually fail to move us? Or does it fail to move us when we know its authenticity ... more
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- How do I use substack?
I go to the substack site and try to add the free subscription, but after that nothing seems to work. Any help? Thx..
Apple Podcasts5p.e.r.i.o.d.i.c.
United States6 months ago - Amazing!
I love classical music and am learning so much from your podcast. Thank you for breaking it down. My favorite podcast is a comedy one called Community News by Paul and Sasha. My second favorite one is a comedy podcast called Fly on the Wall. If you want to try comedy podcasts. YOU are now my new favorite classical music podcast. Gave you 5 stars. Thanks for adding this to the pod sphere.
Apple Podcasts5BIGCNFANinSDUnited States7 months ago - Too much “personality”
I wanted to learn about Bach but having to put up with his theatricality and “humor” was too much
Apple Podcasts3kskrglmqUnited States7 months ago - Fascinating and learning so much
I came for the Mehldau, stayed for time of new great information. Really enjoyed the L/R separated parts to help me hear the different voices.
I’m a guitar player. Any interesting guitar interpretations of Fugues or Bach in general?
Thanks for the great work!!
Apple Podcasts5JahtahLionUnited States6 years ago - very fun!
i like learning about music theory and i’ve learned very little about counterpoint and fugue until now!
Apple Podcasts5emma merge dragonsUnited States7 years ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #112 | United States/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #233 |  United Kingdom/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #28 |  Singapore/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #61 |  Denmark/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #70 |  Israel/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #139 | Singapore/Music |
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Frequently Asked Questions About WTF Bach
What is WTF Bach about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show offers in-depth, approachable analysis of Bach's works, blending structural music theory with performance practice and historical context. Episodes commonly dissect architectural ideas in pieces, compare recordings, and share practical listening tips like stereo imaging and playback speed to illuminate texture. The host weaves personal storytelling with scholarly detail, occasionally featuring guests or discussing archival discoveries, and often ties insights to broader themes in Baroque music and teaching resources. A standout trait is its hands-on, seminar-like tone that makes complex musical ideas accessible to educated listeners and curious newcomers alike, with regular references to Substack and community engagement as a supp... more
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Which podcasts are similar to WTF Bach?
These podcasts share a similar audience with WTF Bach:
1. Sticky Notes: The Classical Music Podcast
2. The New Yorker Radio Hour
3. Political Gabfest
4. Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
5. The David Frum Show
How many episodes of WTF Bach are there?
WTF Bach launched 7 years ago and published 160 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on WTF Bach?
Recent guests on WTF Bach include:
1. Otan Kopman
2. Pieter Jan Lisnik
3. Emma Smith
4. Peter Volny
5. Peter Wollny
6. Donald Francis Tovey
7. Paul Jacobs
8. Rosalyn Tureck
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