born this day in 1824. This is Barenboim’s second of three complete Bruckner sets…
Happy birthday, Mr. B!
tabascocat1994 said See Positive Feedback, Issue 42, 2009, "Hélène Grimaud's Hômage to Bach: A Look Into the Mystical," by Max Dudious . .Thanks! An interesting essay, fortunately not taking the position a transcription is sacrilege. I am currently reading John Eliot Gardiner's Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven. He has not addressed this issue yet (I am perhaps a third of the way through) and I now hope he does.
It seems silly given how Bach himself would transcribe his own works for other instruments and ensembles than originally. Also, prior to this time, most music was offered as music playable on anything - no specific instrument designated.
tabascocat1994 saidElk, I gave this whole subject consideration to try to understand. Whenever I do so, I try to stand in the shoes of others. My thought is maybe it’s like me thinking “look at that asshole who included colonial style lighting fixtures on his mid-century modern home” (3-doors down from my house), or "that bastard lifted that 64 Impala to fit 24s under it ! ? ! " So I sort of understand, but like I said in my original post, since music can be reinterpreted without damaging the original, where is the controversy?
“Controversy” is a strong word. There’s a long history of how to interpret art music. Just in the 20th century alone we lived through the Furtwangler vs. Toscanini fight, Peter Sellars’ opera productions, and the HIP (historically informed performance) vs. romantic argument. In retrospect, I, for one, see merit and beauty form all sides. A well-informed reviewer should feel the same assuming there’s conviction from the interpretation. One could easily argue that Bach on the piano is a “no-no” and must be played on the harpsichord or organ. OK, I get it, however, I love Bach on the piano (and the guitar) and, as Elk pointed out, we have clear historical evidence supporting the fact that Mr. Bach was not a stickler for instrumentation per se.
Bottom line, there’s room for many styles/visions…that’s one very important way of keeping this art form alive. If anything, your thread with Elk has made me want to seek out Grimaud’s Bach CD. I don’t know her playing very well and found that I only own one of her recordings (Brahms 1st concerto with Staatskapelle Berlin/Sanderling on Erato). I should give it a listen again soon.
My two cents - I think your response above is healthy. Bach’s music is “timeless” and will never die. Fresh, convincing performances are the root cause to keeping it alive…
xianharris said ... we have clear historical evidence supporting the fact that Mr. Bach was not a stickler for instrumentation per se. ... your thread with Elk has made me want to seek out Grimaud’s Bach CD. I don’t know her playing very well and found that I only own one of her recordings ...Obviously you are much more informed than me. Hell, like I said, before I read that review I did not realize anyone would have an issue with a piano, vs violin, performance of Bach. I would think the composer would want his piece played in any manner that it could be interestingly interpreted. Again, I am not a student of the subject. Also, as stated below, I am not a musician.
Grimaud’s performance of Bach is impressive to me. When I listen to music I rarely care if the musician is “playing very well.” I am more interested in the emotion it draws out of me.
Some of my favorite bands not only do not play well, but affirmatively bad if one is judging by technique alone. I grew up on late-70s and early-80s punk. It’s more about raw emotion than anything else.
xianharris said If anything, your thread with Elk has made me want to seek out Grimaud’s Bach CD.Yes! Me, too.
As I mentioned earlier, she is a romantic player and dramatic. I am now very curious to her what she did with Bach.
After the Gold Rush by Neil Young
After the Gold Rush is one of the few “Classic Rock” Records I can still listen to. Love Harvest too!
Drums Unlimited by Max Roach
From my Dad’s collection. Always thought it was cool…
On the deck. Heavy overcast, 75 F, humid and beautiful. Some of the trees are starting to turn early and we have cool temperatures in our forecast. I have another month to enjoy being outside on the deck!
Picked this up at a hipster record store in New Orleans for $10 used. Fun 4 CD set. Not well reviewed but I dig it. I’d love to see a new box set featuring the best of the modern NOLA Brass Bands. The scene is still rich with talent!
Great idea.
Talk about a reflective song. Fitting end to a lovely holiday weekend. Took my folks, including my very sick Dad, to see a Trad Jazz Band at the Honkey Tonk BBQ. Had BBQ and listened to two sets of the Fat Babies. Lots of period clothes on jitter bugging couples in a very working class neighborhood bar and restaurant on the Near South Side of Chicago. Even got my Mom and Dad up dancing again for a few moments.
amsco15 said
Picked this up at a hipster record store in New Orleans for $10 used. Fun 4 CD set. Not well reviewed but I dig it. I’d love to see a new box set featuring the best of the modern NOLA Brass Bands. The scene is still rich with talent!
That was a steal. I paid full price for my copy from Mosaic when it was still in print. Great set.
How do you explain such greatness? Haitian Fight Song is unworldly. I don’t think I would have wanted to meet him. Seems like history is filled with difficult, troubled geniuses.
Have a good week all. Stay safe from fires, hurricanes, and all other earthly travails.
System is sounding magnificent this morning. Love the new ZTPRE preamp and what it’s bringing to the plate. New, improved cabling is also contributing favorably. I don’t want to be a typical audiophile, but today, after a weekend of occasional headphone listening, hearing the speakers dishing out wonderful sound so effortlessly has me focusing on the sound as much as the music. . . and has me happy.
Right now: Paolo Fresu 5tet plays the music of Etiore Fioravante
what would Mr. Bach think about these transcriptions?
She’s beautiful. She sings well. This one is growing on me, and Lucy likes it
CD edition.
Been a while. The SHM-CD which sounds very good.
lonson said System is sounding magnificent this morning. Love the new ZTPRE preamp . . .Congratulations on the new preamp!!! Tell us more.