George Bernard Shaw, among others, realized the heartfelt quality of Bach's music when he wrote in 1885 as a young music critic, "Sebastian Bach could express in fugue or canon all the emotions that have ever been worthily expressed in music. Some of his fugues will be prized for their tenderness and pathos when many a melting sonata and poignant symphonic poem will be shelved forever."
It's a foretaste of what you'll hear in Jacques Loussier Plays Bach: The 50th Anniversary Recording.
I'm not familiar with Bach, so my comment steers a bit away from him...but your statement that he adapts well to jazz reminds me of question someone asked me about "Rhapsody in Blue" by Gershwin. The woman considered it jazz while her friend called it classical. I'm interested now
ReplyDeleteto take a listen to Louissier and see what conclusion I may come too.
I think most people would consider it classical because it's written out and uses an orchestra & there's no improvisation; but it does use jazz idioms too.
DeleteI'm also not that familiar with Bach but after giving Loussier a listen, I agree that his music does indeed adapt well to jazz. This is new to me, so thanks!
ReplyDeleteThe well tempered clavier is the only hot cut from Bach that I am familiar with. I like that because it reminds me of playing videogames as a youngster. Medieval puzzle solving PC games...I think they were educational...
ReplyDeleteGood call! Totally takes me back to playing King's Quest or Myst, floppy discs and lots of SURGE soda!
DeleteSurge!! It's got what plants CRAVE!!
DeleteBach was so cool!!!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't sample the video and must admit that I am not "in the know" about Bach, but I like the idea of classical music being jazzy!
ReplyDeleteI put the youtube link in there also in case it wouldn't play for you ... did you try that?
DeleteI could not listen to the video, but I do too enjoy jazz. The combining of jazz and classical music sounds like a very interesting combination.
ReplyDeleteFrom his sweetest hymns, (Sheep May Safely Graze) to his most complex four-part fugue, Bach's music was infused with a love of humanity and love of God. I adore Glenn Gould's interpretation of anything Bach, and I know Bach's music is flexible enough for any modern style. His genius is truly a river from which flows all music.
ReplyDelete