A Brief History of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos

So Very Nearly Lost to the Ages

Johann Sebastian Needs To Get Paid

Three centuries ago one could not make a living as a composer without a wealthy, royal patron. In March 1721 J.S. Bach sent six concertos to a minor prince, the Margrave of Brandenburg. He was doing what musicians do: he was trying to hustle up a paying gig.

The manuscript, written in Bach’s own hand, bore the following dedication:

As I had the good fortune a few years ago to be heard by Your Royal Highness, at Your Highness’s commands, and as I noticed then that Your Highness took some pleasure in the little talents which Heaven has given me for Music, and as in taking Leave of Your Royal Highness, Your Highness deigned to honour me with the command to send Your Highness some pieces of my Composition:

I have in accordance with Your Highness’s most gracious orders taken the liberty of rendering my most humble duty to Your Royal Highness with the present Concertos, which I have adapted to several instruments; begging Your Highness most humbly not to judg…