Bach-Gesellschaft

music society

Also known as: BG

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June 18, 2026

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The Bach-Gesellschaft (BG) was a music society founded in 1850 with the primary goal of publishing the complete musical works of Johann Sebastian Bach. This initiative was part of a broader revival of Bach's music, which had been largely neglected for about 50 years after his death. The BG's efforts ensured that Bach's compositions became more accessible, contributing significantly to the scholarly study and performance of his music. By 1900, the society had published all known works, paving the way for future organizations dedicated to Bach scholarship and performance.12

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Moritz Hauptmann
…Robert Schumann, Hauptmann founded the Bach-Gesellschaft (“Bach Society”); for the remainder of his life he served as the society’s president and edited the first three volumes of the Bach-Gesellschaft (BG) edition of Bach’s complete works. His most important publication in the area of theory was Die Natur der Harmonik und…
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…Robert Schumann, Hauptmann founded the Bach-Gesellschaft (“Bach Society”); for the remainder of his life he served as the society’s president and edited the first three volumes of the Bach-Gesellschaft (BG) edition of Bach’s complete works. His most important publication in the area of theory was Die Natur der Harmonik und…
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Johann Sebastian Bach
Revival of music
Encouraged by Robert Schumann, the Bach-Gesellschaft (BG) was founded in the centenary year 1850, with the purpose of publishing the complete works. By 1900 all the known works had been printed, and the BG was succeeded by the Neue Bach-Gesellschaft (NBG), which exists still, organizing festivals and publishing popular editions.…
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Encouraged by Robert Schumann, the Bach-Gesellschaft (BG) was founded in the centenary year 1850, with the purpose of publishing the complete works. By 1900 all the known works had been printed, and the BG was succeeded by the Neue Bach-Gesellschaft (NBG), which exists still, organizing festivals and publishing popular editions.…
Read More