Product Description

When young Sebastian Bach learns that old Adam Reinken of Hamburg is a better organist than himself, he sets out to meet his rival.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1058971 in Books
• Published on: 1999-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 32 pages

From Publishers Weekly
When people hear the name Johann Sebastian Bach, they think of the composer he became, as in Jeanette Winter's Sebastian (reviewed above), not the ambitious boy he once was. Ketcham takes the reverse approach in this affectionate debut "based on a story that Bach liked to tell." Teenage Bach, known as Sebastian, longs to hear the renowned organist Jan Adam Reincken, who lives in Hamburg. Since Sebastian has no money, he walks 30 miles to Reincken's home city, past half-timbered cottages and haystacks, and into cobblestone streets where workers heft flour sacks and load freight on wooden barges. Finally, Sebastian hears Reincken play and is humbled by the master's talent. "I used to be the greatest organist in all of Germany and the world!" Sebastian sobs. Reincken invites the boy to play, too, and afterward declares, "I thought the art had died, but now I see it lives in you." Ketcham, who introduces the dramatis personae in an informative foreword, celebrates Sebastian's determination and gently cautions against too much pride. In his lively watercolor scenes of Northern Europe, circa 1700, Bush (Benjamin McFadden and the Robot Babysitter) recalls details from Brueghel's canvases (though he replaces the grotesquery with softer slapstick), and echoes the changing tenor of the text with scenes that are at times bustling with activity and at times peaceful and reflective. The author and illustrator convince the audience that charming Sebastian is both naive and boldAa model young celebrity for the turn-of-the-(18th-)century. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
K-Gr-3A childhood reminiscence is the basis for this brief picture-book look at the youthful exuberance of Johann Sebastian Bach. The proud and boastful prodigy sets out to hear Jan Adam Reincken, a master organist, to see if he really is a better musician than the boy himself. When the determined Bach finally reaches the church and listens to the talented man, he is humbled but confident that he may still, one day, be the greatest organist in all of Germany and the world. This is an interesting and humorous glimpse into the early life of a musical master, but it lacks the depth and warmth of Barbara Nichols Beethoven Lives Upstairs (Orchard, 1994). There is no empathy created for the haughty young Bach and the text is overly descriptive at times. The pastel, watercolor cartoon drawings are sprightly, serviceable caricatures, but the bits of text imposed over some of the illustrations are distracting. For students writing reports, standard biographies will supply the facts. This is an additional purchase where fictionalized versions have an audience.Beth Tegart, Oneida City Schools, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-8. Based on a story that Bach liked to tell about his childhood, this is a lighthearted picture book about the great composer as a bouncy 10-year-old kid, so full of himself that he believes he is the "greatest organist in all of Germany and the world." His older brother tells Sebastian that he's the naughtiest, not the best, and that old Adam Reincken of Hamburg is the best; so Sebastian walks the 30 miles from his school to hear Reincken play. Bush's exuberant watercolors mix cartoon and folk art and occasional musical notes with playful exaggeration--until the boy hears Reincken play, and the double-page spread shows the old man's fingers playing the great music that soars over the town and across Europe, and that reduces Sebastian to tears. Then the master and the child play together, and, of course, everyone knows that the boy does grow up to become the greatest. Young musicians will enjoy the cheerful, irreverent childhood story. For a picture-book biography, see Winter's Sebastian on p.1409. Hazel Rochman

Customer Reviews

Great Story For the Right Age Group
Probably best suited for 5-8 year-olds. It's the story of young Johann Sebastian Bach and his desire to be the greatest organist in all of Germany and the world. Through very good illustrations, and a compelling story, children and adults will be fascinated by this prodigy. The author passes on interesting tidbits of information of Bach's childhood that make for very good reading. However, children younger than 5 will probably tire easily of this story, since it runs a bit long.

Based on a true story from J. S. Bach's childhood
Sallie Ketcham's wonderful "Bach's Big Adventure" is that rare breed of book which manages to tie together a true story from a major historical figure's childhood with terrific illustrations--and throw in a palatable moral as well.

J. S. Bach apparently was quite a confident young man, boasting by the age of ten to all who would listen that he and he alone was the greatest organist in all Germany. His confidence pierced by the sarcasm and truthfulness of his elder brother (who reared him once their parents had died), Bach decides that he will go to hear a concert by the man his brother says IS the greatest--an organist named Reincken.

Suffice it to say that Bach is humbled by the experience and almost hesitates to join Reincken at the organ--but the elder man is encouraging and soon the two are playing a rollicking tune, much to the delight of both. Reincken cheers the young Bach who does, in time, become the greatest organist in Germany and beyond.

Ketcham's tale is well told, with generous doses of humor. Timothy Bush's watercolor illustrations are cartoonlike and serve to further humanize this great musician. The book is a success and a treat to peruse.

Great Book that You Can't Put Down
This book is well written. Children will want to read it again and again. The author's humor adds sparkle to this historically based novel.