From School Library Journal
Grade 5-7. First published in Britain, these two slim overviews of the composers' lives have visually interesting page layouts with plenty of full-color drawings, photographs, and engravings to catch readers' eyes. Sidebars give additional details on people, historical events, and artistic movements mentioned in the text. While the highly attractive presentations might lift these titles from being strictly report fodder to the level of general interest, the narratives are not easy reading. The historical references and vocabulary make them appropriate for an older audience than the 32-page format might suggest. Of the two, Introducing Mozart is the more compelling. The "divine boy" is a far more fascinating figure than the pious Bach. While both books place their subjects in context of their times and make a case for their stature and continued relevance in a modern world, readers with the sophistication to handle these introductions will want more substantive treatments.?Tim Wadham, Dallas Public Library, TXCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Card catalog description
Examines the childhood and early musical training of the prolific eighteenth-century German composer as well as the influences and historical events that shaped his adult life.

ANNOTATION

Examines the childhood and early musical training of the prolific eighteenth-century German composer as well as the influences and historical events that shaped his adult life.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Johann Sebastian Bach lived in a world where musicians were servant-craftsmen. He wrote music for his masters, both in the palaces and in the town councils of 18th-century Germany. While wars shaped Europe around him, Bach battled with stubborn councilors and incompetent musicians in his search for perfection. After his death, fashion moved on, and for a while Bach was almost forgotten. Now his work has established him as one of the great musical geniuses of all time.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Judy Chernak

A lavishly illustrated, beautiful book about 18th century genius Johann Sebastian Bach, beginning with his birth into a musical family and concluding with the sad fact that his music became dated after his death and suffered a long period of benign neglect before becoming truly appreciated. Fact-filled sidebars add considerable relevant information about the history and customs of Bach's times, and there are interesting anecdotes throughout. However, the book is relatively dry and will appeal mostly to music students or history/biography buffs working on assignments. 1996 (orig.

School Library Journal