Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An aura of magic looms around Johann Sebastian Bach's The Art of Fugue. It is the composer's last masterpiece, left unfinished on his death in 1750.
The Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt, much celebrated for her Bach playing over some 25 years, has never tackled the work – until now. She is performing it in two recitals at the Royal Festival Hall, half in each programme.
"I've always put it off," she admits. "Many performances I've heard of it have been dull – and I can't believe that Bach reached the end of his life and wrote something boring! I feel a duty to delve into it and find as much life in it as possible."
It remains a huge challenge. Bach specifies no instrument for the work and some theories suggest he never intended it to be played. Others opine that it is full of numerological symbolism. But it has turned out that he probably composed much of it earlier than previously thought, possibly before 1740.
Perhaps, in the end, its mystery has been overstated at the expense of its delights.
Angela Hewitt, Royal Festival Hall, London SE1, 2 October (www.southbankcentre.co.uk)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments