Bach’s influence on keyboard instruments is unrivaled. But before getting into his works for solo keyboard, it is important to talk about Equal Temperament, which solved for all time the problem of the Pythagorean Comma, which we discussed at the beginning of this blog. To recap, Western music was based on a natural scale with … Continue reading Bach and Equal Temperament
Tag: Baroque Period
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)
Handel and Opera
As much as I love Handel’s oratorios, his 42 operas are his supreme achievement. Another digression. I met my wife in the Spring of 1998 and we got together, in no small part, because my father developed a very serious tumor and was in the hospital for most of the next year. Over the course … Continue reading Handel and Opera
Handel’s Instrumental Music
Handel is best known for his oratorios and operas, but his instrumental music, often overlooked, reveals a brilliant mind at work. Handel learned the concerto grosso form from Corelli during his time in Italy and took Corelli’s innovation to the next level. Haydn and the modern symphony are now mere decades away, getting closer all … Continue reading Handel’s Instrumental Music
Baroque Music XI: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
“Handel is the only person I would wish to see before I die, and the only person I would wish to be, were I not Bach.” J.S. Bach “Handel is the greatest composer that ever lived... I would uncover my head and kneel down on his tomb.” Ludwig van Beethoven The two titans of Baroque … Continue reading Baroque Music XI: George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
A Gertus History of Music 