Ben Wilson

But likely at this point, the music he's writing is competent, perhaps even interesting, but far from kind of his final form. Okay, so he's playing, he's composing. Let's talk about one of my favorite incidents from his early career that happens here at Arnstadt. So Bach is given extra responsibilities. You know, initially he's just hired as the organist.

But he is eventually kind of promoted or not even promoted because they don't give him extra money. And it's actually kind of against his will. But they ask him to also teach the students, the student musicians from the school associated with the church where he plays.

But he is eventually kind of promoted or not even promoted because they don't give him extra money. And it's actually kind of against his will. But they ask him to also teach the students, the student musicians from the school associated with the church where he plays.

So they, you know, they want not just to play the organ, but kind of coach the students in the choir and the other musicians and kind of help them get up to speed. Right. There are problems here. Number one, as we discussed, the students are famously unruly. That was in Eisenach, I think, but it's also true here in Arnstadt. Many of them are not well-educated in musical technique and theory.

So they, you know, they want not just to play the organ, but kind of coach the students in the choir and the other musicians and kind of help them get up to speed. Right. There are problems here. Number one, as we discussed, the students are famously unruly. That was in Eisenach, I think, but it's also true here in Arnstadt. Many of them are not well-educated in musical technique and theory.

And to make matters worse, you know, Bach, he's completed his studies so early, he's actually younger than most of his students. So they're kind of embarrassed to be getting taught by this kid. And one day, he gets into an argument with one of his students, a bassoonist. Classic bassoonist behavior, am I right? Okay. And so apparently things escalate and Bach ends up calling him a Zippelfaggotist.

And to make matters worse, you know, Bach, he's completed his studies so early, he's actually younger than most of his students. So they're kind of embarrassed to be getting taught by this kid. And one day, he gets into an argument with one of his students, a bassoonist. Classic bassoonist behavior, am I right? Okay. And so apparently things escalate and Bach ends up calling him a Zippelfaggotist.

Okay, this is German, Zippelfaggotist. I know it sounds kind of like a slur in English, but well, actually kind of does mean what you think it sounds like. Because this literally translates to a greenhorn bassoonist. Okay, and in case I need to spell it out for you, a bassoon is a woodwind that you... Place on your lips. It looks kind of like a clarinet if you don't know. Anyways, okay.

Okay, this is German, Zippelfaggotist. I know it sounds kind of like a slur in English, but well, actually kind of does mean what you think it sounds like. Because this literally translates to a greenhorn bassoonist. Okay, and in case I need to spell it out for you, a bassoon is a woodwind that you... Place on your lips. It looks kind of like a clarinet if you don't know. Anyways, okay.

So he calls him a greenhorn bassoonist. But apparently greenhorn is also a euphemism for you can imagine what. Okay, so John Elliot Gardner translates this insult as he calls this guy a prick bassoonist. I've seen others translate it as a weenie bassoonist, right? Like you're playing the bassoon. Okay, you get it? Do you get the joke he's making?

So he calls him a greenhorn bassoonist. But apparently greenhorn is also a euphemism for you can imagine what. Okay, so John Elliot Gardner translates this insult as he calls this guy a prick bassoonist. I've seen others translate it as a weenie bassoonist, right? Like you're playing the bassoon. Okay, you get it? Do you get the joke he's making?

In only two words, Bach is both calling him an amateur. You don't know what you're doing on the bassoon. But he's also calling him gay, basically. Great insult. Incredibly efficient use of words. Gotta hand it to Bach. So this guy's incredibly offended, of course. Gets some friends together. Waits outside a street where he knows Bach will be walking. And then jumps him one night.

In only two words, Bach is both calling him an amateur. You don't know what you're doing on the bassoon. But he's also calling him gay, basically. Great insult. Incredibly efficient use of words. Gotta hand it to Bach. So this guy's incredibly offended, of course. Gets some friends together. Waits outside a street where he knows Bach will be walking. And then jumps him one night.

He attacks him with a stick. Ends up punching Bach in the face. And then Bach draws a sword. I've seen other sources that say it's a long knife. It's generally referred to as a rapier. Either way, Bach goes after him, actually manages to slash a hole through his cloak before people step in and break up the fight. Bach almost stabs this guy because he fights him all because Bach called him.

He attacks him with a stick. Ends up punching Bach in the face. And then Bach draws a sword. I've seen other sources that say it's a long knife. It's generally referred to as a rapier. Either way, Bach goes after him, actually manages to slash a hole through his cloak before people step in and break up the fight. Bach almost stabs this guy because he fights him all because Bach called him.

a weenie bassoonist. All right. I love this story because again, it shows the real red-blooded Bach as he really was. The type of music Bach made could only have been made from a man with enormous emotion and passion, which he clearly possessed. His music did not come from a robot. It came from the type of guy who was willing to sword fight people over insults. Okay. So Bach was hot-headed.

a weenie bassoonist. All right. I love this story because again, it shows the real red-blooded Bach as he really was. The type of music Bach made could only have been made from a man with enormous emotion and passion, which he clearly possessed. His music did not come from a robot. It came from the type of guy who was willing to sword fight people over insults. Okay. So Bach was hot-headed.

He was also in many ways a rock star and something of a diva. He was constantly fighting with the city council about his wages, about the state of the music department of his church, about his role and responsibilities. He becomes somewhat withdrawn and surly. In his most egregious move, Bach applies for leave.

He was also in many ways a rock star and something of a diva. He was constantly fighting with the city council about his wages, about the state of the music department of his church, about his role and responsibilities. He becomes somewhat withdrawn and surly. In his most egregious move, Bach applies for leave.

to go to Lubeck, another city in Germany, for four weeks to hear the great organist Dietrich Buxtehude. And he's granted this by the city council. Okay, you can leave for four weeks, get yourself a replacement. He finds another Bach, of course, to come play the organ for him for four weeks. Because he thinks he can learn a lot from this great, great organist, Dietrich Buxtehude.