“The Art of Fugue – An Unfinished Masterpiece”
Panel Dicussion: Dr. Meinolf Brüser, Dr. Jörg Hansen, Prof. Dr. Michael Maul, Prof. Grigory Gruzman
You are warmly invited to a fascinating panel discussion exploring the enduring mystery of why Johann Sebastian Bach left his work The Art of Fugue unfinished — the only composition in his oeuvre to remain incomplete.
Was Bach unable to finish it? Or was this perhaps intentional?
In this engaging discussion, we welcome Dr. Meinolf Brüser, jurist and musicologist, who will join Dr. Jörg Hansen, Director of the Bach Museum Eisenach, Prof. Grigory Gruzman, pianist, and Prof. Dr. Michael Maul, musicologist and Artistic Director of the Leipzig Bach Festival, to take a closer look at Bach’s enigmatic masterpiece — especially the abrupt break in the final bar.
Dr. Brüser raises the question of whether this work conceals a hidden secret or whether the supposed structures and numerical patterns are merely interpretations. Could Bach have been at the end of his creative journey? Did he perhaps intend this work as his farewell?
Since Dr. Brüser’s hypothesis is a controversial one, we invite you to take an active part in the discussion. Together with our audience, we aim to shed light not only on the creation of this extraordinary work but also on the man behind it — Johann Sebastian Bach, about whom we still know so little.
Join us for a stimulating and insightful conversation that promises to offer new perspectives on Bach’s music and his world. We look forward to your questions and contributions!
