We’ve been look at many 20th century musicians last month, so we’re stepping back in time to study a composer who was born this month – Johann Sebastian Bach! J.S. Bach is one of the most influential composers in history. His music has also been studied by mathematicians due to the structure, patterns, layers, and symmetry.
I’ve played numerous of his piano works. You’ve probably heard some of his compositions before:
– Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata “Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben” (Heart and Mouth and Deed and Life) BWV 147
– Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ
– The Well-Tempered Clavier (set of preludes and fugues, 24 in major key, 24 in minor key) for harpsichord: Prelude & Fugue in C Major
– 6 Brandenburg Concertos: Brandenburg Concerto No. 3
– 6 Cello Suites: No. 1 is the most famous, but also listen to No. 5, 4th movement Sarabande (played by Yo-Yo Ma on September 11, 2002 at the site of the World Trade Center, while the first of the names of the dead were read in remembrance on the first anniversary of the attack)
– 6 Violin Sonatas and Partitas: Partita No. 2 (played by violinist Itzhak Perlman, paralyzed from contracting polio at age 4)
– Air on the G String
– Goldberg Variations: for harpsichord, an aria and 30 variations on the bass line and chord progression!
– Christmas Oratorio, originally performed in 6 installments
– Organ Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor
– St Matthew Passion (background: written to be used as part of a Lutheran church Good Friday service; worship, which used to be in Latin, was now in German – a language understood by the entire congregation)