Generating Rhythmic Movement and Embellishment - Inside the Mind of Bach
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Date: 2022-03-28
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Comments and reviews: 10
Nanaka
Thank you for continuing this series, I think there are not many things we can do as musicians which are as valuable as studying Bach. The amazing thing about this piece is the opening couple of bars are practically Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but as you point out he takes this incredibly basic given melody and transforms it into stunningly beautiful music without compromising the original melody at all.
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Thank you for continuing this series, I think there are not many things we can do as musicians which are as valuable as studying Bach. The amazing thing about this piece is the opening couple of bars are practically Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, but as you point out he takes this incredibly basic given melody and transforms it into stunningly beautiful music without compromising the original melody at all.
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riverstun
When Bach -pulled out all the stops-, he ended up with the opening of the St. Matthew Passion, in which he had 2 duelling choirs singing different melodies entirely, and then brings in this chorale melody -O Lamm Gottes Unschuldig- on top of the writhing sea of counterpoint, using a further choir, of boy's voices, singing clearly out over the top. And yes, a lot of rhythmic interest in that one also.
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When Bach -pulled out all the stops-, he ended up with the opening of the St. Matthew Passion, in which he had 2 duelling choirs singing different melodies entirely, and then brings in this chorale melody -O Lamm Gottes Unschuldig- on top of the writhing sea of counterpoint, using a further choir, of boy's voices, singing clearly out over the top. And yes, a lot of rhythmic interest in that one also.
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Randolph
I love this series mining the riches of Bach. It's a deliberate and painstaking effort for me to find ways of creating harmonic and rhythmic interest in rather plain melodies, but for Bach it seems to be part of his way of musical thinking. Of course, having to crank out massive amounts of music each week probably helped him internalize approaches and techniques at which tyros like me can only wonder.
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I love this series mining the riches of Bach. It's a deliberate and painstaking effort for me to find ways of creating harmonic and rhythmic interest in rather plain melodies, but for Bach it seems to be part of his way of musical thinking. Of course, having to crank out massive amounts of music each week probably helped him internalize approaches and techniques at which tyros like me can only wonder.
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Miller
Your videos are all incredibly helpful! Would you be interested in making a video in either this or the composers insight series regarding the way that Bach composed solo violin/cello suites? (I'd love to see your insight on some of the chamber music by Shostakovich too, but I get the impression that his music is not your cup of tea!)
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Your videos are all incredibly helpful! Would you be interested in making a video in either this or the composers insight series regarding the way that Bach composed solo violin/cello suites? (I'd love to see your insight on some of the chamber music by Shostakovich too, but I get the impression that his music is not your cup of tea!)
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Gertim
-Oh, isn't it wonderful. You could live with these suspensions, couldn't you? It's like a glorious tasting chocolate bar. Sorry, I-m not allowed to eat those anymore, since my diet-... Haha... very recognizable (I-m not allowed either any more; you lost a lot of weight, congratulations!). Great video, as always. Thank you very much.
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-Oh, isn't it wonderful. You could live with these suspensions, couldn't you? It's like a glorious tasting chocolate bar. Sorry, I-m not allowed to eat those anymore, since my diet-... Haha... very recognizable (I-m not allowed either any more; you lost a lot of weight, congratulations!). Great video, as always. Thank you very much.
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Nixon
Thanks again Gareth for this whole series. I've been a huge JS Bach fan since childhood, but only recently have developed enough music theory to follow your analysis. It really illuminates the things that I've always loved about Bach, and it's amazingly fulfilling to finally understand them.
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Thanks again Gareth for this whole series. I've been a huge JS Bach fan since childhood, but only recently have developed enough music theory to follow your analysis. It really illuminates the things that I've always loved about Bach, and it's amazingly fulfilling to finally understand them.
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robert
1always played predominately modal (irish & english) music, but LONGED for that bach flavoring which i perceived as endless modulation. my ear never developed to those brilliant tensions and subtleties that you manage to spell out for me. maybe next life i'll work on those. thanks!
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1always played predominately modal (irish & english) music, but LONGED for that bach flavoring which i perceived as endless modulation. my ear never developed to those brilliant tensions and subtleties that you manage to spell out for me. maybe next life i'll work on those. thanks!
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Todd
Another wonderful lesson. I am an intermediate level pianist and have not played Bach chorales before. I suppose it is ok to play a tenor note with the thumb of the right hand when there is a large gap between the bass and tenor like in the cadence at the end of the second phrase?
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Another wonderful lesson. I am an intermediate level pianist and have not played Bach chorales before. I suppose it is ok to play a tenor note with the thumb of the right hand when there is a large gap between the bass and tenor like in the cadence at the end of the second phrase?
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Bryan
Thank you for this series. I've gotten into the habit, with thanks to you, of playing Bach's 4 Part Chorales as the first musical thing I do on my piano each day.
I use the newer Charles Sanford Terry edition for the larger print. Which do you use?
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Thank you for this series. I've gotten into the habit, with thanks to you, of playing Bach's 4 Part Chorales as the first musical thing I do on my piano each day.
I use the newer Charles Sanford Terry edition for the larger print. Which do you use?
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Pavan
Sir, I have been following your lessons for a couple of months. The way you explain music theory is so beautiful. Please take care of your health, I've noticed a sudden drop in your body fat percentage. I'm a little worried. Love from India
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Sir, I have been following your lessons for a couple of months. The way you explain music theory is so beautiful. Please take care of your health, I've noticed a sudden drop in your body fat percentage. I'm a little worried. Love from India
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