A Moment of Bach

It's time for Bachtoberfest!  Tonight we treat ourselves to a wine & cheese spread, tailored to the different variations in this iconic piece. 

We had so much fun with this that we think you should try it too.  Just pair some of your favorite wines and cheeses and other snack items with the musical feast that is the Goldberg Variations.  Then, let us know how it went!

And with that, season 5 of A Moment of Bach comes to a close.  As always, we are so grateful to our listeners!  Thank you for continuing to spread the word about our podcast!  And, thanks to Netherlands Bach Society for the continued use of their excellent recordings.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT DETAILS in Southern California:
Christian's church: Christmas Carol Festival at Abiding Savior
Alex's church: Christmas Concerts at St. John's Orange, Dec 5, 6

Christian's Carnegie Hall invitation details here. Registration portal found here (if closed, email Christian at amomentofbach@gmail.com)

Unabashed joy describes this short and sweet cantata, which Bach wrote at age 23 for a wedding. In its sparkling finale, some mysteries hide. A curiously unexpected tonality sets off the happy declamation of "ihr seid" (you are), with emphasis on "seid"; according to Bach we ARE blessed by God, rather than "us" being special. 

Then what do we make of the ending? Even in an early cantata which generally sounds like 1600s Lutheranism, some new special effects are hidden. Bach surprises us with his piano marking along with some Haydn/Mozart-like figurations. It's hard to listen to this level of happiness without cracking a smile.

 

Der Herr denket an uns (BWV 196) mvt. 5 "Ihr seid..." as performed by the Netherlands Bach Society

Christian's Carnegie Hall invitation details here. Registration portal found here (if closed, email Christian at amomentofbach@gmail.com)

Today we talk "Men in Black", "Coco", "Futurama", and hear a slappin' bass line from an 80's funk song.  Oh, and some Bach.  Remember to stop and smell the forget-me-nots -- in other words, enjoy those moments.

In memoriam Fred Jacobs.

Charles Daniels (tenor), Meineke van der Velden (da gamba), and Fred Jacobs (theorbo) performing "Vergiss mein nicht" (BWV 505) for the Netherlands Bach Society

Video on the theorbo by Elizabeth Kenny for the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Overtures belong at the beginning, introducing what is to come. So why is one found at Variation 16 of the giant Goldberg Aria and Variations? 

Well, it is the beginning, but of the second half of 30 variations. Variation 15 takes us into fear and anguish with a mirrored canon in the (unheard of) key of G minor. After 45 minutes of bright G major since the opening aria, this change into the parallel minor key is stark, but not as stark and bare as the open fifth ending: a lone D string. Then follows a pause (in this performance by Jean Rondeau) of fully 35 seconds.

We start fresh, renewed with the joy of G major after this pause which literally divides the performance in half. The French "Ouverture" is a new beginning, replete with bright and shimmering baroque ornamentation. And yet it fits in the mold of the harmonic structure of the original Aria. While we think that there are beautiful performances of the Goldberg Variations on the modern piano, we lament the limitations of the low end of our big new instrument. Of all the 30 plus the Aria, this variation is the one which must be heard on the instrument for which it was intended -- harpsichord. 

 

Aria mit 30 Veränderungen (Goldberg Variations) BWV 988: Jean Rondeau, Netherlands Bach Society

To play baroque music properly -- especially a bouncing jig like this one in 12/8 time -- you must "unlearn what you have learned", and rethink how you articulate music.  Articulation is so important -- the music must feel and look light and airy.  This performance by the Netherlands Bach Society fits this feeling perfectly -- the musicians look casual yet classy, showing that Baroque music can indeed be lighthearted and fun.

See this performance by the Netherlands Bach Society, directed by Shunske Sato

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LISTENERS! See a FREE performance of this cantata at Alex's church, by Cathedral Singers and orchestra, Sunday, November 2, at 4pm; details here.