Celebrating Bach's Legacy to the Church: After 250 years, he still preaches powerfully through his music
A look at Bach and his influence on the church.
Calvin Stapert
Fifty years ago, on the 200th anniversary of Bach’s death, composer Paul Hindemith gave a speech titled “Heritage and Obligation.” Like Hindemith, many composers since the time of Mozart have felt some kind of obligation to Bach’s heritage—composers as diverse as Mendelssohn, Chopin, Brahms, Stravinsky, and the jazz pianist John Lewis.