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 analysis of Bach's music: Well-Tempered Clavier, Brandenburg Concertos, St. Matthew Passion and more. Classical music education for all levels. wtfbach.substack.com
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 150 | Founded | 6 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | MusicEducationMusic Commentary | |||
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Latest Episodes
As part of his new job, the 22-year-old Bach had to provide music for Mülhausen’s city council elections. For the first time, he officially had an occasion to write for a large orchestra: brass, timpani, woodwinds, flutes, strings, two choirs— this i... more
I hope you get something out of this experiment!
Enjoy Paul Jacobs’ beautiful live performance, followed by, at 16:20, an extremely slow MIDI version of BWV 582. The idea is that you, the listener, can adjust the playback speed to alter your percep... more
Bachian folklore claims Bach used to disguise himself and wander into random churches to play the organ. After a few minutes the warden was frightened it was either the devil himself or Johann Sebastian Bach. I imagine this piece would have given suc... more
At just 22 years old, Bach set the immortal words of David, ‘Out of the depths I cry to thee, O Lord.’ From the opening bars, we see depths, cries:
The second and fourth movements already show Bach’s interest in using chorale melodies in his cantata... 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 States3 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 States5 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 States5 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 States6 years ago
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Chart Rankings
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Apple Podcasts | #121 | United States/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #186 |  Canada/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #203 |  Australia/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #237 |  Germany/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #77 |  Poland/Music/Music Commentary |
Apple Podcasts | #79 |  Finland/Music/Music Commentary |
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Frequently Asked Questions About WTF Bach
What is WTF Bach about and what kind of topics does it cover?
The show offers expert-level exploration of Bach's keyboard literature, blending in-depth musical analysis, performance practice, and historical context. Episodes consistently tackle structure, texture, and interpretation across instruments, with hands-on listening prompts and practical takeaways for performers, students, and avid listeners. Unique touches include deep dives into edition history, manuscript sources, and the performer's perspective, often weaving personal anecdotes and calendar/history trivia to illuminate Bach's music for discerning audiences.
Overall, it's a rigorous, accessible gateway into Baroque keyboard repertoire, appealing to musicians who want to hear how Bach's ideas unfold in real performance, as well as listene... more
Where can I find podcast stats for WTF Bach?
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How many listeners does WTF Bach get?
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How many subscribers and views does WTF Bach have?
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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 David Frum Show
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law
5. The History of English Podcast
How many episodes of WTF Bach are there?
WTF Bach launched 6 years ago and published 150 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact WTF Bach?
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What guests have appeared on WTF Bach?
Recent guests on WTF Bach include:
1. Peter Volny
2. Peter Wollny
3. Donald Francis Tovey
4. Paul Jacobs
5. Rosalyn Tureck
6. Ton Koopman
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.