Johann Sebastian Bach: And Introduction to his Life and Works by Russell H. Miles (1962) Ex Libris Used Books

Blending Bach’s life and work, Russell H. Miles dismisses the austere Bach of legend and presents the warmth of the man and his music. He explains how Bach’s familial devotion and the dedication of his talent to God affected his music, and how, in turn, the music acted on his life. Professor Miles shows how, despite personal tragedy and professional difficulties, Bach created a lively and inspiring foundation for a large part of the world’s music.

“Professor Miles’ book…make(s) us want to be as knowing as we can with respect to the miracles Bach performed;” writes Mark Van Doren in his Foreward. “Toward this end, the author was wise in dealing with the biography as he did; never in too much detail, and never in the illusion that the life of a master artist is more interesting than his works. The works are all that really matter though what we can learn about their intellectual and spiritual source may have its deep importance.”

As a result, “the book is more than a biography,” continues Van Doren. “It is a study…It describes more than it dissects, yet often enough the knife of analysis goes in to discover the joints and separate the sinews.

“All the while…Bach’s very music is somehow sounding in our ears, and better yet, if one may say so, in our minds. The ultimate power of Bach is felt in our whole being. Professor Miles has never minimized this aspect of the musician to whom he is utterly devoted. The result is a book from which any man, as Mozart said of Bach himself, is bound to learn.”

Professor Miles has documented his text well with translations of personal letters and official documents.