Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) never left Germany but became internationally respected by his peers during his lifetime and a symbol of pure musicianship for future generations. A virtuoso organist, harpsichordist, and violinist/violist who may have also played lute, as a composer his mastery of counterpoint and fugal writing remain unmatched, yet he was also open to the influences of contemporary Italian and French composers.
Born into a highly musical family in Eisenach, Germany, Bach became organist at the Neukirche in Arnstadt in 1703 at the age of 18. His first major appointment was as court organist to Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, in 1708; six years later the Duke made him Concertmaster. In 1717 Bach became Kapellmeister and music director to the music-loving Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen, where Bach wrote much of his greatest secular music. Bach's duties switched to writing choral and organ music for use in church services...
Born into a highly musical family in Eisenach, Germany, Bach became organist at the Neukirche in Arnstadt in 1703 at the age of 18. His first major appointment was as court organist to Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Weimar, in 1708; six years later the Duke made him Concertmaster. In 1717 Bach became Kapellmeister and music director to the music-loving Prince Leopold of Anhalt in Cöthen, where Bach wrote much of his greatest secular music. Bach's duties switched to writing choral and organ music for use in church services...
- 3/21/2015
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
David Jalbert J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations (Atma Classique) Young Canadian pianist David Jalbert’s rendition of the Goldberg Variations has been growing on me for two months. In the wake of last year’s dazzlingly athletic version by Minsoo Sohn, this seemed less momentous. Well, even if it’s not overthrowing my #1 choice -- Murray Perahia’s supremely refined rendition with its wonderful palette of timbres -- or surpassing a couple of Gould’s, or Sohn’s, it is deeply satisfying: technically and interpretively impressive, imaginative without crossing the line into quirky. It has a certain kinship with Gould’s 1981 recording (slow aria, generally sprightly tempos featuring counterpoint of crystalline clarity) but without Gould’s tendency to make his piano as dryly harpsichord-like as possible; Jalbert’s tone is quite pianistic without ever seeming anachronistically Romantic, and he sometimes spins out beautifully legato lines with a singing quality. Most of all,...
- 6/16/2012
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
Murray Perahia Plays Bach Concertos Murray Perahia/Academy of St. Martin in the Fields J.S. Bach: Keyboard Concertos Nos. 1-7; Concerto for Flute, Violin & Harpsichord; Brandenburg Concerto No. 5; Italian Concerto (Sony Classical)
It's hard to believe that it's been a decade since the first of these instant-classic 2000-2003 recordings were issued. By then, while it was still not unusual for pianists to buck the authentic-performance movement where Bach is concerned in the solo works, piano in the concertos had become rarer.
read more...
It's hard to believe that it's been a decade since the first of these instant-classic 2000-2003 recordings were issued. By then, while it was still not unusual for pianists to buck the authentic-performance movement where Bach is concerned in the solo works, piano in the concertos had become rarer.
read more...
- 7/21/2011
- by SteveHoltje
- www.culturecatch.com
With the Hughes Brothers’ new film The Book Of Eli opening in theaters this Friday, January 15 we are all looking forward to this being a real kick-ass, post-apocalyptic action movie. One of many reasons we’re excited about this upcoming film, is the return of Gary Oldman as “the bad guy.” We have collectively decided that Gary Oldman is totally awesome, so this gave us an opportunity to compile our own Top Ten List of Gary Oldman’s Best Performances, and… there is certainly a large pool of quality options to choose from. Even if the movie sucks, Gary is always on top of his game.
Keep in mind this is merely the ten best Gary Oldman performances, as we see them. Truthfully, there may not be such a thing as a “bad” Gary Oldman performance.
10. Harry Potter (et al) as Sirius Black
It wouldn’t be much of a...
Keep in mind this is merely the ten best Gary Oldman performances, as we see them. Truthfully, there may not be such a thing as a “bad” Gary Oldman performance.
10. Harry Potter (et al) as Sirius Black
It wouldn’t be much of a...
- 1/12/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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