THE TWENTY CHILDREN OF JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH

by David Arkin ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 8, 1968

The image of a home-grown orchestra and chorus, projected on the cover, is an intriguing introduction to Bach as composer and performer, but the promise of the approach is muffled by the awkwardness and even ugliness of the illustrations in what is essentially a picture book. Very briefly, it follows Bach's career from his second marriage to the success of his offspring and his own contented old age, with particular attention to his troubles as a teacher and to the satisfaction he had in composing for and playing with his family. The drawings, in a greige wash, are sometimes crowded and often stiff: figures are rigid and truncated, faces are waxen. Unfortunately, more mummery than merriment.

Pub Date: July 8, 1968

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Ward Ritchie-Golden Gate

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1968

Categories: CHILDREN'S