Bach's numbers -- Symmetry, proportion and parallels -- Unity, proportions and universal harmony in Bach's world -- Bars, compositional planning and proportional parallelism -- Three collections for strings -- Four in two collections for keyboard -- Two further collections for keyboard -- Two small late collections -- Two large late collections -- Collections of concertos -- Collections of organ works -- Great passions and cantatas -- Festive cut-and-paste projects : masses and oratorios -- Lost blueprints.
Ruth Tatlow employs theoretical evidence and practical demonstrations to explain how and why Bach used numbers in his published compositions.