In May 1747, Johann Sebastian Bach — then 62 years old — traveled to Potsdam at the invitation of Frederick II of Prussia. The king, an avid music lover and skilled flutist, presented Bach with a challenging theme of his own composition and asked him to improvise a fugue on the spot.
Before the assembled royal court, Bach rose to the occasion, improvising a three-part fugue of remarkable complexity. When faced with a second, even more daring request for a six-part fugue, Bach promised the king he would deliver a considered response.
Weeks later, Bach fulfilled his promise by sending the king The Musical Offering — one of his most sophisticated and enigmatic works, comprising ricercares, intricate canons, and a trio sonata, all woven around the king's 'royal theme.'
Luc Beauséjour guides the audience through this extraordinary episode in Bach's life, shedding light on the art of improvisation and the genesis of a masterpiece. The talk takes place on December 2, 2026, at 15:15 at Off-Festival Bach, 3487 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, as part of Festival Bach 2026.