Welcome
The American Bach Society was founded in 1972 to support the study, performance, and appreciation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in the United States and Canada.
The ABS produces Bach Notes and Bach Perspectives, sponsors a biennial meeting and conference, and offers grants and prizes for research on Bach.
Information on membership is available here, along with a short history of the Society and information on its administration.
On this site you can also find links to other Bach organizations and to Bach festivals, as well as a small selection of interesting Bach illustrations.
UPCOMING BIENNIAL MEETING
“Johann Sebastian Bach and His Sons”
Kenyon College
Gambier, OH
May 1–4, 2014
The 2014 meeting will be held on the hilltop campus of Kenyon College, situated in the central Ohio countryside one hour northeast of Columbus (transportation to and from the Columbus Airport will be provided by Kenyon College).
The topic of the conference, “Johann Sebastian Bach and His Sons,” was chosen in part because 2014 marks the tercentenary of the birth of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. The program will include a keynote address, papers, and concerts in Brandi Recital Hall, Rosse Concert Hall, and the Church of the Holy Spirit. Founded in 1824, Kenyon is the oldest private college in Ohio and was recently named one of the world’s most beautiful campuses by Forbes Magazine.
The American Bach Society hereby invites paper proposals. Submissions focusing on the conference topic will be given preference, although every aspect of Bach studies will be considered.
Proposals (250 words) should be sent as an e-mail attachment by October 1, 2013, to the chair of the program committee: Markus Rathey (markus.rathey@yale.edu). The committee’s decisions will be announced by the middle of November 2013.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS AT RIGHT:
- Oil painting of J. S. Bach by Elias Gottlob Haussmann, 1748
- Engraving of St. Thomas Church, Leipzig
- Title page of BachΓÇÖs Calov Bible, 1681 (Concordia Seminary Library, St. Louis)
- First page of autograph score of Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G major, 1721