Fred Simon wrote:
"I assume Bach hoped his works would be performed long past his death, and would therefore be open to readings other than those adhering to his original intention"
Of course you're right, though, obviously, most modern forms of performance and reproduction were totally unknown in Bach's day and age. Most Bach music we're talking about here is DIY music. The solo pieces were to be played first, and heard second. You didn't go to Carnegie Hall to listen to a guy perform the Violin Partitas.
The way the music is communicated these days is modern, via recitals and hifi reproduction. Still, there's a lot to be said for immersing oneself somehow in the otherness of this music, by getting a good period performance. As I said before: the differences are more intesting than similarities.
But you're just as right (to say the least) to opt for what communicates best to you - we're both talking about what sounds really alive.
Herman
