Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
Johann Sebastian Bach and the 21st Century
Speaker
Professor Henry Powell
Coordinator
Steve Clarey
Johann Sebastian Bach was a church organist and
an authority on organs. By the time of his death, he
was greatly admired but not appreciated as he is
today. That started to change when a great organist,
Albert Schweitzer, made the first recordings of his
organ music in 1927. Other musicians recognized the
power of Bach’s music, notably Leopold Stokowski
and the great cellist Pablo Casals, who found a copy
of the Cello Suites in a Barcelona bookshop and
inspired a whole generation of musicians, including
Yo-Yo Ma and Jacqueline du Pre. The history of
recording includes the large format 12-inch vinyl
records, cassette tapes, the Walkman, CDs and
finally streaming. Navigating the many options can
be challenging, but Johann Sebastian Bach is a
constant and a guide.
an authority on organs. By the time of his death, he
was greatly admired but not appreciated as he is
today. That started to change when a great organist,
Albert Schweitzer, made the first recordings of his
organ music in 1927. Other musicians recognized the
power of Bach’s music, notably Leopold Stokowski
and the great cellist Pablo Casals, who found a copy
of the Cello Suites in a Barcelona bookshop and
inspired a whole generation of musicians, including
Yo-Yo Ma and Jacqueline du Pre. The history of
recording includes the large format 12-inch vinyl
records, cassette tapes, the Walkman, CDs and
finally streaming. Navigating the many options can
be challenging, but Johann Sebastian Bach is a
constant and a guide.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Henry (Harry) Powell trained as a
pathologist and joined the UC San Diego faculty
in 1976, working on experimental models of
diabetic neuropathy. A popular lecturer at Osher,
his lifelong pursuit of classical recordings extends
to the history of composers, musicians, and
their times. He received his medical degree from
University College Dublin.
pathologist and joined the UC San Diego faculty
in 1976, working on experimental models of
diabetic neuropathy. A popular lecturer at Osher,
his lifelong pursuit of classical recordings extends
to the history of composers, musicians, and
their times. He received his medical degree from
University College Dublin.
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