595 J. S. Bach Organ Concerto in C major, BWV 595 (after Violin Conc in C major, Op.1 No.4, by Johann Ernst) - Ulf Norberg

Johann Ernst IV, Duke of Saxe-Weimar, was almost fifteen when he went to study law in Utrecht. As a music-lover, he could really indulge himself in the Netherlands, where he rubbed shoulders, as it were, with one of the most important music printing presses of the world. There, he bought things like a copy of Vivaldi’s brand-new opus 3, L’Estro Armonico (Amsterdam, 1711), which Bach was later to use for his organ concertos BWV 594 and 596. Unfortunately, on his return to Weimar, Duke Johann Ernst did not have long to enjoy the arts of his extremely productive organist. Soon after leaving Utrecht, he developed a swelling on his leg that proved fatal in 1715, at the age of eighteen. In his own music – predominantly violin concertos – Johann Ernst was greatly inspired by Vivaldi. Telemann had heaped praise upon the noble composer when he was alive, and after his death he published a selection of his music. To be honest, though, the result paled a little alongside the Italian model. Johann Ernst’s rather schema