Blog Archives

Battle

11/30/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

I stumbled upon an interesting video entitled Battle: Mozart vs. Bach in which Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23 and Variation 25 from the Goldberg Variations are pitted against each other.

I consider it less of a battle, however, and more of an example of the similarities between the two works. Have a look here.

Theremin

11/29/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

The theremin is an early electronic instrument invented by Leon Theremin in 1928. Controlled without physical contact, the instrument consists of two metal antennas that sense the relative position of the player’s hands, one for frequency and the other for volume. The electric signals from the theremin are amplified and sent to a loadspeaker.

The instrument has been most widely used in avant-garde music and in film scores. Of course, the occasional theremin player cannot resist trying the instrument out on Bach!

Listen to Variation No. 25 from the Goldberg Variations performed by thereminist, Grégoire Blanc.

Black Pearl

11/28/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Variation 25 of the Goldberg Variations, marked adagio in Bach’s hand, was famously referred to as “the black pearl” by harpsichordist, Wanda Landowska. Others have described the variation as the emotional high point of the work.

Enjoy this recording of “the black pearl” by pianist, Alexis Weissenberg.

Rest

11/27/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Bach’s Cantata 170, Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust (Delightful rest, beloved pleasure of the soul) is a solo cantata for alto which was first performed in Leipzig in the summer 1726. It is one of three cantatas Bach wrote that summer and fall in which the alto soloist is the only singer.

The cantata is fairly brief and intimately scored for a small ensemble of oboe d’amore, two violins, viola, organ and continuo.

Enjoy the restful third movement, for alto, performed by the Choir and Orchestra of the J. S. Bach Foundation with conductor, Rudolf Lutz.

Canary Gigue

11/26/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

The seventh variation of the Goldberg Variations is marked al tempo di Giga by Bach. Its dotted rhythms are similar to Bach’s French Suite No. 2 and to the gigue in his Overture in the French Style. This style of gigue is sometimes referred to as a canary gigue, based on the rhythm of a dance originating in the Canary Islands.

Hear the canary gigue in this recording by pianist, Glenn Gould.

Grainger

11/25/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Australian composer, Percy Grainger (1882-1961) spent many years in Europe and America. His Blithe Bells (Ramble on Bach's 'Sheep May Safely Graze') for band and tuneful percussion premiered in 1930 by the Goldmon Band, an American concert band founded in 1918.

Enjoy this 2010 rendering by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Andrew Litton at Royal Albert Hall.

Thanks

11/24/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Bach’s Cantata 17, Wer Dank opfert, der preiset mich (He who offers thanks praises Me) was composed in Leipzig and first performed there on September 22, 1726. With its joyous instrumental opening and two jubilant choral sections, it feels just right for Thanksgiving Day!

Enjoy this recording featuring the Holland Boys Choir and the Netherlands Bach Collegium conducted by Pieter Jan Leusink.

Empress of Ireland

11/23/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Johann August Reinhold Bach (1835-1914), a distant relative of J. S. Bach, is believed to have immigrated to America with his family in 1848.

He and his daughter were on board the Empress of Ireland, “Canada’s Titanic,” when it sank in the St. Lawrence River after colliding with a Norwegian vessel in May 1914. Johann August Reinhold Bach perished in this disaster; his daughter survived.

Much To Be Esteemed

11/22/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

“I have seen things from the famous Weimar organist, Mr. J.S. Bach, for the church as well as for the hand, and which are certainly done so that the man is much to be esteemed." — Hamburg writer, Johann Mattheson

Old Cemeteries

11/21/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

I heard a news report today about an effort to preserve an old cemetery in my local region. I assumed, wrongly, that cemeteries were naturally protected from development.

Now, I’ve just come across this beautiful video entitled “The Beauty of Old Cemeteries.” It is set to Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A minor for organ (BWV 543). The organist is Robert Noehren. The cemetery images, from Gniezno, Poland are lovely.

Marketing

11/20/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

A California-based flooring company markets a range of wood flooring called the Composer Collection. The Bach line is a lovely oak offering. The collection also includes Beethoven, Mozart and Brahms lines.

Ah, marketing -- I wonder if the composers’ families are receiving royalties!

Ave Maria

11/19/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Today is the anniversary of Franz Schubert’s death. In his too short life (1797-1828), he composed masterpiece after masterpiece.

Of course, Schubert revered Bach (and Beethoven)!

Enjoy this beautiful video of Schubert’s Ave Maria with organ soloist, Jonathan Scott in St. Mary’s Church, Failsworth, England.

Berlioz

11/18/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

“Bach is Bach, as God is God.” — Hector Berlioz

Chopin

11/17/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Chopin’s advice to his students: “Always practice Bach; this will be your best means to make progress.”

Chopin’s method of preparing for a performance: “For a fortnight I shut myself up and play Bach. That’s my preparation; I don’t practice my own compositions.”

Culture Clash

11/16/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

I love discovering examples of Bach’s music being used in inventive ways today.

A few years ago, Red Bull created a performance series entitled Red Bull Flying Bach. Here are a couple of TV commercials that advertised the series.

Watch a breakdance crew dance to Bach in Australia and another performance in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Super Moon

11/15/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Did you see the super moon last evening? I did; I was moved almost to tears.

This morning, still reveling in that memory, I found this lovely video entitled Bach Moon. Words are not necessary.

Sax

11/14/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

I attended a concert yesterday by a renowned saxophone quartet. Although this performance was focused on new music, I recalled that many of J.S. Bach’s works have been beautifully adapted for various sax ensembles.

Enjoy this video recording of musicians from The United States Army Field Band performing Bach’s "Little" Fugue in G minor (BWV 578), arranged by Staff Sergeant David Parks.

Love

11/13/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

“Old concept: Love is blind. Marriage is an eye opener. New concept: Love is not blind; it simply enables one to see things others fail to see.” -- J.S. Bach

11/12/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

On Bach: “It's music that makes you think. It compels you. The more you listen, the more you hear; the more attentive you are, the more you realize there is to discover in it.” — Pianist, Angela Hewitt

Life

11/11/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

I’ve just discovered this excellent video entitled Glory to God Alone: The Life of J.S. Bach. It features scenes from Eisenach, Ohrdruf, Weimar, Kothen, Muhlhausen and Leipzig with insights from noted J. S. Bach scholars.

Enjoy the video here.

Harpsichord Solo

11/10/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

Bach’s Sonata No. 6 in G Major for Violin and Harpsichord (BWV 1019) might just be my favorite of this set of six. I love the fact that Bach writes a harpsichord solo (Allegro) as the entire third movement.

Enjoy this recording by harpsichordist, Trevor Pinnock.

Comfort

11/9/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

The third movement of Bach’s Cantata 135 (Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder) is a comforting tenor aria. Thank you, JSB.

Listen to it here, performed by the Choir and Orchestra of the J. S. Bach Foundation with Rudolf Lutz, conductor and Hans Jörg Mammel, tenor.

Relaxation

11/8/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

This being Election Day in the U.S., after casting my vote, I knew I needed something soothing to get me through the day. I immediately thought of the andante movement from Bach’s Sonata in E minor for flute and continuo (BWV 1034).

Relax to this recording featuring flutist, John Solum, harpsichordist, Igor Kipnis and cellist, Barbara Bogatin.

Double

11/7/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

In his Violin Partita No. 1 in B minor (BWV 1002), Bach followed each of the usual French dance movements of the day (allemande, courante, sarabande and bourée) with a double. The double is a sort of variation that elaborates on the bass line of the previous movement.

Bach also broke with tradition in this partita by substituting the bourée in place of the typical Baroque gigue. Furthermore, he marked it Tempo di Borea.

Perhaps Bach was experimenting? Evolving? Rebelling? Whatever the case, his results are exquisite.

Hear for yourself in this performance by violinist, Gidon Kremer.

La Folia

11/6/2016

by Rebecca Cochran

La Folia is one of the most popular musical themes in all of Western music, used by scores of composers from the Baroque period to the present day.

J.S. Bach used the theme as an instrumental accompaniment to an aria in his Peasant Cantata (BWV 212).

Enjoy this lively video of a performance featuring the Choeur de Chambre de Namur and Les Agrémens, directed by Leonardo García Alarcón.

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My Year of Bach.

This is an experiment.
I love Bach: listening to Bach; playing Bach (alone or with others); discovering Bach; learning from Bach; sharing Bach.

I need Bach in my daily life.

So, for 2016, I'm challenging myself to write a short daily post about Bach. Come along for the ride, if you're so inclined. Let's listen, share and learn together!