Posted on 07/19/2015 4:50:06 PM PDT by zeugma
A non-political thread just for the heck and beauty of it.
I offer for your consideration Johann Sebastian Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.
From the Wikipedia Entry: The Well Tempered Clavier is a collection of solo keyboard music composed by Johann Sebastian Bach. He gave the title to a book of preludes and fugues in all 24 major and minor keys, dated 1722, composed "for the profit and use of musical youth desirous of learning, and especially for the pastime of those already skilled in this study". Bach later compiled a second book of the same kind, dated 1742, with the title Twenty-four Preludes and Fugues. The two works are now considered to make up a single work, The Well-Tempered Clavier, or "the 48", and are referred to as The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book I and The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II, respectively.[2] This collection is generally regarded as being among the most influential works in the history of Western classical music.[2]
Kimiko Ishizaka ran a Kickstarter campaign to fund a professional recording of this work, which was released as a public domain recording, so you can download the entire thing for free on the internet (and purchase a CD of it as well if you'd like).
For those freepers out there who are musically inclined, it's worth the 1 hour 46 minutes it takes to listen to. It's beautiful stuff, written by a master. I'm jamming on the Bach now, which is what prompted me to post. :-)
Chris Thile - Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor
This was originally a piece written for violin. Mr. Thile does his own interpretation on the mandolin. Inspired is the first word that comes to mind.
I've been listening to Thile as a part of Nickel Creek for years. When I first heard this it blew me away, and I bought the CD. The CD comes with each movement broken up. When I ripped it for my computer I ripped it as one big track, and converted it from that.
Finally, i can talk to others about my great love of Praelude no.1, by JSB. without worrying that im either confusing or boring them. The piece is deceptively and elegantly simple in pattern and overall composition.
The first time i heard it was via harpsichord. My ears were not yet ready to hear all the subtle movements. I found it easier to hear this done on a piano.
There is something so very satisfying about this little ditty which was written to train his sons during their early childhood.
Whenever I get tired of listening to contemporary music, I spend a few weeks or months listening to Bach. It sort of cleanses the palate.
Thanks for this thread, I might just start a new Bach phase.
JS Bach had at least two main passions in life, producing music and producing babies. He had a total of 29 children from two consecutive wives. I believe there are some decendants to JSB alive today, most located in Germany and Brazil.
BTTT.
Listening to Landowska’s harpsichord now.
Favorites I'd be guilty for not sharing: Pinnock, concerto 1 (wake-up call)
Others: Koopman/Saval, Six Suites John Butt, Trio Sonatas Hanoncourt, Magnificat
I think many folks would be surprised at some of the fantastic stuff coming out of bluegrass these days. There have been some remarkable crossovers. There are some blues and bluegrass players out there with some serious classical training, and it shows.
Thanks all for your comments on this thread. The listening suggestions are especially appreciated. I’ll be checking them out over the next few days as I get time.
ping
Hello...this is the artist, Angela Hewitt, that my teacher saw in person playing the Well-Tempered Clavier in two separate showes, and referred to in music appreciation class. I found this article about her from The Guardian that you may be interested in reading regarding the Art of Fugue:
Angela Hewitt: My battle with Bach
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/sep/19/angela-hewitt-battle-bach
Thanks! I’ll look at it this afternoon.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.