The WFB Legacy

William F. Buckley Jr. had two lifelong passions and loves — one of them was sailing, and the other was music, specifically his instrument, the harpsichord, and his composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach was, in Bill’s words, God’s way of “clearing his throat” and reminding the world of his presence. On the 300th birthday of Bach in 1985, Bill wrote in the New York Times Magazine that “The music of Bach disturbs human complacency because one can’t readily understand finiteness in its presence.”

About the Author

National Review Institute

National Review Institute was founded by William F. Buckley Jr. as a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization in 1991.

William F. Buckley Jr. had two lifelong passions and loves — one of them was sailing, and the other was music, specifically his instrument, the harpsichord, and his composer, Johann Sebastian Bach.

Bach was, in Bill’s words, God’s way of “clearing his throat” and reminding the world of his presence. On the 300th birthday of Bach in 1985, Bill wrote in the New York Times Magazine that “The music of Bach disturbs human complacency because one can’t readily understand finiteness in its presence.”