Bach Toccata and Fugue
Johann Sebastian Bach’s most celebrated organ music.
About the video
- Published online 29 August 2023.
- The video is approximately 4 minutes.
- A musical excerpt from the series Mankind and Music, episode 4.
The word “toccata” is Italian and means “to touch”. In the Baroque era, the title “toccata” was often given to pieces which, like the equally common fantasy and prelude, had a fairly loose musical framework. As with this famous toccata by Johann Sebastian Bach, they were often followed by a fugue.
Bach’s Toccata is filled with dramatic passages and chords that put the entirety of the organ’s resources to use. The music can be perceived as scary and is commonly used in horror films.
***
This excerpt of music is from episode 4 of the series Mankind and Music. The five episodes are available to watch here on Konserthuset Play. Why does music exist? What happens to us when we make or listen to music? In this series, we explore answers to these questions together with musicians, listeners and researchers.
-
The music
-
Johann Sebastian Bach Toccata from Toccata and Fugue in d minor BWV 565
-
Participants
-
Ulf Norberg organ
