The Benefits of studying Bach
Posted by: mikeeschman on 28 November 2009
For months, I fixed my attention on the Well Tempered Clavier and the St. Matthew's Passion, but now I am turning to the Beethoven Symphonies and late piano sonatas again.
The effect of this prolonged exposure to Bach is like waking up to find you have developed a sort of x-ray vision. The Beethoven seems fresh and inviting, and all its interior logic is laid bare in plain sight.
I think it is quite possible that all of music is codified in Bach, and that if you fully comprehended it, there would be nothing more to know.
Bach may be the key.
The effect of this prolonged exposure to Bach is like waking up to find you have developed a sort of x-ray vision. The Beethoven seems fresh and inviting, and all its interior logic is laid bare in plain sight.
I think it is quite possible that all of music is codified in Bach, and that if you fully comprehended it, there would be nothing more to know.
Bach may be the key.
Posted on: 03 December 2009 by u5227470736789439
quote:Meanwhile, I am in a rut. I need a break from Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Brahms. It's a bit rich.
Sibelius?
Third symphony is my favourite, and then the Seventh! The Seventh is a little enigmatic at first acquaintance!
Best wishes from George
Posted on: 04 December 2009 by mikeeschman
I added Sibelius 3rd and 7th symphonies by Simon Rattle on cd to the listen stack, thanks George.
I think I am listening to too much music, and that is causing burnout. I listen 20-30 hours a week, which I am cutting back to 10-15 hours a week. Hope that does the trick.
I'd like to explain how I use the forum, after the sniper incident. When I lsten, thoughts occur to me. These thoughts are things I'd like to discuss with other music lovers.
They are not meant to be lectures, just a record of my own reactions as I felt them.
A personal journal of no paticular merit, other than being honest reactions to what I heard in search of conversation with others.
They are supremely opinionated and often wrong.
I figured if no one else was interested, they would go uncommented and that would be the end of that. And if they stirred up argument, that can be an entertaining read.
I think I am listening to too much music, and that is causing burnout. I listen 20-30 hours a week, which I am cutting back to 10-15 hours a week. Hope that does the trick.
I'd like to explain how I use the forum, after the sniper incident. When I lsten, thoughts occur to me. These thoughts are things I'd like to discuss with other music lovers.
They are not meant to be lectures, just a record of my own reactions as I felt them.
A personal journal of no paticular merit, other than being honest reactions to what I heard in search of conversation with others.
They are supremely opinionated and often wrong.
I figured if no one else was interested, they would go uncommented and that would be the end of that. And if they stirred up argument, that can be an entertaining read.
Posted on: 04 December 2009 by u5227470736789439
Dear Mike,
Some weeks I seem unable to stop listening and really concentrating very well on music, and sometimes I can only listen to perhaps twenty minutes in a day, really well. Something like a Bach keyboard Partita can be enough for a whole day!
But for sure going from one master of clarity and concision, such as from Bach to another like Sibelius is a good thing, just as it is advisable to eat a sorbet after meat, and then coffee, and then Brandy, and if you are brave then set off on the beer or vodka! Only kidding about the last two!
You start on them, get hungry, eat some food, and then carry on ... !
You wake up next day thinking something like, "It's amazing, I put myself to bed and took my socks off too!"
ATB from George
Some weeks I seem unable to stop listening and really concentrating very well on music, and sometimes I can only listen to perhaps twenty minutes in a day, really well. Something like a Bach keyboard Partita can be enough for a whole day!
But for sure going from one master of clarity and concision, such as from Bach to another like Sibelius is a good thing, just as it is advisable to eat a sorbet after meat, and then coffee, and then Brandy, and if you are brave then set off on the beer or vodka! Only kidding about the last two!
You start on them, get hungry, eat some food, and then carry on ... !
You wake up next day thinking something like, "It's amazing, I put myself to bed and took my socks off too!"
ATB from George
Posted on: 04 December 2009 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by Dan Carney:
How much Harpsichord have you played?
I say more, because, when playing the harpsichord one has to be a LOT more careful. This is because the Harpsichord's keys are very light, and ultra sensitive. On a piano, if one gently brushes a note when playing a quick passage, we can assume that the note will not sound. However, even the slightest brush of a note on the Harpsichord will make it sound. Not good!
I've played enough harpsichord to agree with your last sentence here, that the harpsichord's hyper-sensitivity is "Not good!" To borrow a metaphor, it's is a bug, not a feature ... having to walk one's fingers on eggshells to that extent does not further the music.
quote:One can add expression, colour, dynamics in a vaster quantity with the piano.
Yes, and isn't this a good thing? Doesn't this afford a greater palette of musical expression? Isn't that what we want?
quote:I agree with you regarding gradations of dynamics, BUT you should know that the type of music that harpsichords were designed to play did not require such fine grading of dynamics.
I think you've put the cart before the horse here, or perhaps the chicken before the egg ... the music has a more coarse resolution of dynamics because the instrument can't produce finer gradations.
quote:Although the piano is advanced in terms of technology, it would be foolish to cast aside the Harpsichord as being inferior. It certainly isnt, just different.
I'm not at all suggesting that the harpsichord be cast aside ... it's a wonderful and lovely instrument which has its place. It's not that it's inferior compared to the modern piano, but that it is more limited than a modern piano in several crucial ways.
All best,
Fred
Posted on: 04 December 2009 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by mikeeschman:
A couple of weeks ago I started rummaging through the Jazz stacks. It all sounds tired and too familiar. I injected 12 new discs into the jazz collection, and none of them satisfied.
I realize I might be unfairly putting you on the spot, Mike, but, gee, I do hope that my album, Since Forever, is not one of the 12!
All best,
Fred
Posted on: 05 December 2009 by mikeeschman
quote:Originally posted by fred simon:quote:Originally posted by mikeeschman:
A couple of weeks ago I started rummaging through the Jazz stacks. It all sounds tired and too familiar. I injected 12 new discs into the jazz collection, and none of them satisfied.
I realize I might be unfairly putting you on the spot, Mike, but, gee, I do hope that my album, Since Forever, is not one of the 12!
All best,
Fred
No, I have two of your discs Fred and neither of them are in the dozen. The worst of the dozen is Ayler, who has put the sounds of mental illness into his music.
I don't really think of you as a jazzer. I didn't know where to put you.
Posted on: 05 December 2009 by mikeeschman
quote:Originally posted by mikeeschman:quote:Originally posted by fred simon:quote:Originally posted by mikeeschman:
A couple of weeks ago I started rummaging through the Jazz stacks. It all sounds tired and too familiar. I injected 12 new discs into the jazz collection, and none of them satisfied.
I realize I might be unfairly putting you on the spot, Mike, but, gee, I do hope that my album, Since Forever, is not one of the 12!
All best,
Fred
No, I have two of your discs Fred and neither of them are in the dozen. The worst of the dozen is Ayler, who has put the sounds of mental illness into his music.
I don't really think of you as a jazzer. I didn't know where to put you.
In the back of my mind all day I had the nagging feeling that I owed you a bit, that I had more explaining to do.
Fred, I don't think of you as a jazzer, because everything sounds composed. The idiom of jazz is there in abundance, and the playing is flawless. I especially enjoy the nuanced command of rhythm, and the pristine intonation. The tunes are very beautiful.
But it's a different sort of experience than Dizzy and Charlie Parker, or Miles, or Coltrane, or Dexter Gordon.
I think you have a unique voice. I can tell you it wears well on repeated listens. It is also rewarding to give it your attention.
That's the best recommendation I can give. Hope we're still friends :-)
Posted on: 05 December 2009 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by mikeeschman:
No, I have two of your discs Fred and neither of them are in the dozen ... I don't really think of you as a jazzer. I didn't know where to put you.
Good ... my diabolical plan is working!
It's an interesting question, and there are two answers.
One is the conclusion you reached: that I'm not really a jazzer. Exactly ... there are equal components of classical, folk, pop, and other musics folded in with the jazz to the extent that my own blend can't really be defined as only one genre.
The other answer, however, is that my music does incorporate a significant portion of jazz language, and combines composition with a considerable component of improvisation, and since the umbrella of jazz is very broad and can easily absorb many variations within the genre, it's perfectly reasonable to call my music jazz. Just don't call me late for dinner.
Best,
Fred