57: Bach and the Golden Ratio.

N.B. (2025) I am rethinking some of my opinions made in this podcast regarding the Golden Ratio. At the moment I remain unconvinced of Bach’s brute calculation of Phi, but I am glad to see scholars such as Peter Williams writing openly about it. Never, however, will I be convinced of the ‘parallel proportion’ theories. -e.s.How did Bach understand the concept of Phi? 1.618…? Here are a few examples where Bach highlights the “Golden Section” in a piece through either a fugal technique, a shift in musical language, or something else. Send us your most remarkable golden section moments!For the first episode where I mentioned the golden section and Bach, click here.Pieces covered:Fugue in C major, BWV 846Invention in C major, BWV 770Allegro from Sonata in a minor, BWV 1003Confiteor and Et Expecto from Mass in b minor, BWV 232Contrapuntus 10 from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080Phi as seen as a structural principle in BWVs 1001-1006, The Sei Solo Book One (Violin Sonatas and Partitas) will be written about soon!Fugue in b minor, BWV 869Performers featured:Trevor PinnockNathan MilsteinSigiswald Kuijken (and La Petite Bande)Ralph KirkpatrickW.T.F. Bach? is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.We Rely Exclusively on Paid Subscriptions! Help WTF Bach endure:Join at WTFBach.comThis is the only place Evan checks comments regularly.You can also make a one-time donation here:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachThank you for your help Get full access to W.T.F. Bach? at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe