Month: February 2022

Bach: Conversations Across Art

The Cello Suites are constantly inspiring cellists and composers, but have also made their mark across the arts. Here are two notable examples: J.S. Bach, Cello Suite No. 1: Prelude (from Weir's Master and Commander) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6Ji-KDLG8Y J.S. Bach, Cello Suite No. 5: Sarabande (from Bergman's Cries and Whispers) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuK9ibesyo4 In fact, Bach's Cello Suites have … Continue reading Bach: Conversations Across Art →

Bach’s Cello Suites

For The Professor: In 1889, a 13-year old cellist was browsing the shelves of a second-hand music shop in Barcelona. Piled under what was undoubtedly a gigantic stack of dusty scores, he made a discovery--an old and battered copy of what appeard to be the score of J.S. Bach's Suites for solo cello. His father … Continue reading Bach’s Cello Suites →

Bach and Bartok: A Conversation

In the 1940s, Bela Bartok heard the great violinist Yehudi Menuhin play Bach's solo sonata for violin in C major at a concert in Asheville, North Carolina. Inspired, Bartok composed his own sonata for solo violin, dedicating it to Menuhin. Reflecting what was all to common a trend, Menuhin found the composition too difficult to … Continue reading Bach and Bartok: A Conversation →

Baroque Music XII: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

“Bach is Bach, as God is God.” Hector Berlioz “I had no idea of the historical evolution of music and had not realized that all modern music owes everything to Bach.” Niccolai Rimsky-Korsakov “Study Bach. There you will find everything.” Johannes Brahms “And if we look at the works of JS Bach — a benevolent … Continue reading Baroque Music XII: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) →

Interlude: Handel’s Enduring Influence

Handel's lasting influence remains in the operatic world. His operas which were rarely performed a generation or two ago, have found renewed life in the 21st century. Why? Not for the first time here, the music makes its own case. Consider this album from one of the most exciting singers in the opera world today: … Continue reading Interlude: Handel’s Enduring Influence →