Ben Wilson

And Bach must have realized that like, Oh, I've been set up and there's no way of knowing, but I do wish I could know what went through his head as he sat at the piano and and heard the theme that was played for him. And he's in front of the entire court, in front of everyone. I wonder if, you know, the blood drained from his face, if he had a moment of doubt of, oh man, I'm in front of everyone.

And Bach must have realized that like, Oh, I've been set up and there's no way of knowing, but I do wish I could know what went through his head as he sat at the piano and and heard the theme that was played for him. And he's in front of the entire court, in front of everyone. I wonder if, you know, the blood drained from his face, if he had a moment of doubt of, oh man, I'm in front of everyone.

I've never heard a theme like this. This is impossible. Like this is a perfect trap. What am I supposed to do? Or was it the opposite? You know, does he hear it? And even though it's difficult, does he immediately know? Nice try, Frederick, but I've got you beat. Because what happens is this perfectly laid trap wasn't enough to best the superhuman Bach, the greatest musician of all time.

I've never heard a theme like this. This is impossible. Like this is a perfect trap. What am I supposed to do? Or was it the opposite? You know, does he hear it? And even though it's difficult, does he immediately know? Nice try, Frederick, but I've got you beat. Because what happens is this perfectly laid trap wasn't enough to best the superhuman Bach, the greatest musician of all time.

And look, I think to heighten the stakes of this moment. On a certain level, this was personal. Because in some ways, Bach and Frederick were very similar. Both were incredible geniuses with boundless energy. But in many ways, they were complete opposites. Frederick was very liberal and atheistic. Bach was quite conservative and religious. Bach had 20 children.

And look, I think to heighten the stakes of this moment. On a certain level, this was personal. Because in some ways, Bach and Frederick were very similar. Both were incredible geniuses with boundless energy. But in many ways, they were complete opposites. Frederick was very liberal and atheistic. Bach was quite conservative and religious. Bach had 20 children.

Frederick was gay and had no children. Bach was tall. Frederick was extremely short. Bach was humble. Frederick was extremely proud and vain. So I think on a certain level, This contest was personal. I think Frederick was not only trying to humiliate Bach, but I think he was trying to humiliate religion, humiliate God and his representative in some way.

Frederick was gay and had no children. Bach was tall. Frederick was extremely short. Bach was humble. Frederick was extremely proud and vain. So I think on a certain level, This contest was personal. I think Frederick was not only trying to humiliate Bach, but I think he was trying to humiliate religion, humiliate God and his representative in some way.

Or even if he wasn't, I definitely think that's how Bach would have seen it. I think probably in this moment, he felt like he was wrestling with the devil. So what happens is Bach begins playing slowly at first, picking out the opening theme as slowly as he can to give him some time to think and plan.

Or even if he wasn't, I definitely think that's how Bach would have seen it. I think probably in this moment, he felt like he was wrestling with the devil. So what happens is Bach begins playing slowly at first, picking out the opening theme as slowly as he can to give him some time to think and plan.

And so he wins. I mean, it's like something out of a novel. Two of the great minds that Europe has ever produced match wits against each other, and Bach comes out victorious. Here's how the official Potsdam press release presents what happened. So this is King Frederick's, Frederick the Great's official press arm. This is what they put out in the newspaper. Quote,

And so he wins. I mean, it's like something out of a novel. Two of the great minds that Europe has ever produced match wits against each other, and Bach comes out victorious. Here's how the official Potsdam press release presents what happened. So this is King Frederick's, Frederick the Great's official press arm. This is what they put out in the newspaper. Quote,

His august self immediately gave orders that Bach be admitted and went at his entrance to the so-called forte at piano. That just means a piano condescending also to play in his most august person and without any preparation, a theme for the cable Meister Bach. Okay. So I guess he doesn't play it on the flute. He himself plays on piano. which he should execute in a fugue.

His august self immediately gave orders that Bach be admitted and went at his entrance to the so-called forte at piano. That just means a piano condescending also to play in his most august person and without any preparation, a theme for the cable Meister Bach. Okay. So I guess he doesn't play it on the flute. He himself plays on piano. which he should execute in a fugue.

This was done so happily by the aforementioned Kapelmeister that not only his majesty was pleased to show his satisfaction thereat, but also all those present were seized with astonishment. Mr. Bach found the theme propounded to him so exceedingly beautiful that he intends to set it down on paper as a regular fugue and have it engraved on copper.

This was done so happily by the aforementioned Kapelmeister that not only his majesty was pleased to show his satisfaction thereat, but also all those present were seized with astonishment. Mr. Bach found the theme propounded to him so exceedingly beautiful that he intends to set it down on paper as a regular fugue and have it engraved on copper.

On Monday, the famous man let himself be heard on the organ in the Church of the Holy Spirit at Potsdam in So Bach does create this composition. and sends it to Frederick. We don't know if Frederick ever looked at what Bach sent him, but it is interesting that this composition is something of a challenge, okay, to Frederick.

On Monday, the famous man let himself be heard on the organ in the Church of the Holy Spirit at Potsdam in So Bach does create this composition. and sends it to Frederick. We don't know if Frederick ever looked at what Bach sent him, but it is interesting that this composition is something of a challenge, okay, to Frederick.

Reading now from John Eliot Gardner's biography, he says, "...in the copy he sent to King Frederick, he arranged for the inside page to be inscribed with the word Regis Iusu Cantio et Relequia Canonica Arte Resoluta." At the king's command, the song and remainder resolved with canonic art.

Reading now from John Eliot Gardner's biography, he says, "...in the copy he sent to King Frederick, he arranged for the inside page to be inscribed with the word Regis Iusu Cantio et Relequia Canonica Arte Resoluta." At the king's command, the song and remainder resolved with canonic art.