That Week with the Bachs | Audio - That Week With The Bachs

A New Musical

seven days in seven scenes during which seven members of the Bach family collaborate to create the seven movements of Cantata 140

Music by: Johann Sebastian Bach
Book and Lyrics by: William Kinsolving

Vocal Arrangements by Bradley Greenwald

Please note: The 7 movements of Cantata 140 end each scene of the musical, and thus are interspersed between these songs.

The Bach family sings of their frustration with their hometown in “Leipzig!” to the Brandenburg Concerto #4, III, BWV 1049.

Bach sings of his conflict with God in “Papa Bach’s Prayer,” to the Orchestral Suite #2 in B Minor, “Badinerie” BWV 1067.

Anna, Bach’s wife, pondering her step-sons’ bile and chance death of her infants, sings “A Quiet Rage,” to the Harpsichord Concerto #5, II, BWV 1056.

The Leipzig Authorities, determined to control and/or dismiss Bach, sing “Crisis!” to the Organ Toccata from BWV 565.

Wilhelm Friedemann, terrified of what the world expects of him, sings “Schnaps!” to the Flute Sonata in B-flat Major, II, BWV 1031.

The Bach family, despising the cantata process, sings “Friday” to the Violin Concerto in E Major, III, “Allegro Assai,” BWV 1042.

Telemann and Bach, in an attempt to solve Bach’s penury, sing “Opera,” to the Concerto for Violin and Oboe in D Minor, II, “Adagio,” BWV 1060.

The three eldest sons, having been confronted by their step-mother, sing “Odd,” to the Concerto in D Minor, II, “Adagio,” BWV 974.

Catharina, Bach’s eldest child who has just lost her last chance for love, sings “Fool,” to the Orchestral Suite #3, II, “Air,” BWV 1068.