John Eliot Gardiner goes in search of Bach the man and the musician. The famous portrait of Bach portrays a grumpy 62-year-old man in a wig and formal coat, yet his greatest works were composed 20 years earlier in an almost unrivalled blaze of creativity. We reveal a complex and passionate artist; a warm and convivial family man at the same time a rebellious spirit struggling with the hierarchies of state and church who wrote timeless music that is today known world-wide. Gardiner undertakes a 'Bach Tour' of Germany, and sifts the relatively few clues we have - some newly-found. Most of all, he uses the music to reveal the real Bach.

John Eliot Gardiner
Himself

Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 9: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5/Respighi: The Pines of Rome
Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 9: Beethoven: Symphony No. 5/Respighi: The Pines of Rome

House of Ricordi
House of Ricordi

One 11 and 103
One 11 and 103
G. F. Händel: La Resurrezione – Vzkříšení
G. F. Händel: La Resurrezione – Vzkříšení

The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker

Aida - Arena di Verona
Aida - Arena di Verona

Rubens: A Life in Europe
Rubens: A Life in Europe

A World Without Beethoven?
A World Without Beethoven?

Le Robot Solitaire
Le Robot Solitaire
Lazebník sevillský
Lazebník sevillský
Karl Jenkins: Pencerdd Penclawdd
Karl Jenkins: Pencerdd Penclawdd

Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 5: Verdi: Aida
Toscanini: The Television Concerts, Vol. 5: Verdi: Aida