Something of His Art: Walking to Lübeck with J. S. Bach: Field Notes

Horatio Clare is a critically-acclaimed author and journalist. His first book, 'Running for the Hills', won the Somerset Maugham Award; "the prose equivalent of a collection of poems by Ted Hughes, or even Wordsworth," said the Sunday Times. His second book, 'Truant' is "a stunningly-written memoir", according to the Irish Times, which urged: "Give your stoner friend a copy, it might just save their life." 'A Single Swallow' ("lyrical, often funny, and arresting" - Daily Telegraph) was shortlisted for the Dolman Travel Book of the Year: it follows the migration of barn swallows from South Africa to Horatio's home in South Wales. His novella 'The Prince's Pen' is based on a tale from the Mabinogion. "Darkly playful" said the Times Literary Supplement, "...creates a new brand of magic potent enough to resonate with the sensibilities of a modern age." 'Down to the Sea in Ships' won the Stanford-Dolman Travel Book of the Year 2015; Horatio's first book for children, 'Aubrey and the Terrible Yoot' won the Brandford Boase Award 2016 for best debut children's book.

In the winter of 1705 the young Johann Sebastian Bach, then unknown as a composer, set off on a long journey by foot to Lubeck, a distance of more than 250 miles. This journey was a pivotal point in the life of the great composer. In Something of his Art, Horatio Clare follows in his footsteps.