Bach has taken a break in Leipzig
Anyone who was surprised that Johann Sebastian Bach's immense productivity never diminished his creative power can now take note of the fact that the Thomaskantor apparently also struggled with exhaustion syndromes. At least that is what a document newly discovered by the Bach Archive suggests.
The document was discovered by an employee of the Leipzig Bach Archive in Döbeln. The letter from a Bach pupil proves that the composer largely withdrew from his duties as cantor and director of church music in the later years of his life. The last phase of the Thomaskantor's life has remained largely in the dark until now.
The discovery was made by private lecturer Michael Maul in the final stage of the research project "Systematic exploration of the lives of Bach's St. Thomas Boys Choir", funded by the Gerda Henkel Foundation, which began in 2012 to mark the 800th anniversary of the St. Thomas Choir.
