Bach & Sons
Johann Sebastian Bach, irascible and turbulent, writes music of sensuous delight for his aristocratic patrons, and gives voice to his deep religious faith in music for the church. He’s touchy, he’s fabulously rude, he has high standards (he stabs a bassoonist for playing badly) and he’s constantly in trouble with his employers.
Music is the family business – both his wives and all his children are musicians. His eldest son, Wilhelm, is brilliant, chaotic and paralysed by his father’s genius. Tense, industrious Carl is less talented than his father but more successful. As the years pass, their gripping family drama provokes furious arguments about love, God and above all music. What is it for – to give pleasure, like a cup of coffee in the sun, or to reveal the divine order that gives life its meaning?
Nina Raine’s beautiful, profound and funny play is an anthem to the art that draws us together and sings of our common humanity.
Dates
The Bridge, London
22 June – 11 September 2021
Creative Team
Writer Nina Raine
Director Nicholas Hytner
Set Designer Vicki Mortimer
Costume Designer Khadija Raza
Music Supervised by George Fenton
Lighting Designer Jon Clark
Sounds Designer Gareth Fry
Associate Director & Movement Director James Cousins
Reviews
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“A blissful evening”
Metro
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“A hymn to the power of music”
The Daily Telegraph
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“A wonderful ensemble piece”
Arts Desk