This is a Baroque period film, and in terms of its sheer detail, it's the best production of a period-film I ever seen. Over a decade ago, I purchased Yo-Yo Ma's Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suites, listened to it a few times, then moved on (essentially, buried it somewhere). A few months ago, I decided to unearth the double CD and give it another try. It was the "2nd experience" that led me to this film as well anything else Bach had penned in his life time. As one reviewer has already stated, this film is for those who love Bach's music. It is both historically fascinating and a glimpse at some of the experiences that molded Bach's creative mind. With no means of recording, hence no way of selling music, a gifted musician not born into wealth, had to seek means of living through benefactors. This film chronicles the tumultuous relationship between a perfectionist and his often stifling benefactors, as well as the beautiful relationship he had with the women in his life. Toward the end of the series, the piece "Agnus Dei" (Mass in B minor) perfectly placed, caused tears to well-up my eyes, not just for the sentiments the scene elicits, but for the beauty of the floating melody. I didn't rate this series a 10 for two reasons: editing errors, with a discerning eye, a parked car can be seen on set in one scene; the other reason: performances by some of the secondary characters were lacking.
Review of Johann Sebastian Bach
