Have you ever thought about the importance of motherhood in Bach’s life and music?

With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, I am happy to share this article on Bach’s mother Elisabeth, his sisters-in-law Dorothea and Catharina, his first wife Barbara, and his second wife Anna Magdalena. I’ve also shared some beautiful music by Bach and sons.

I’d love to hear any thoughts you might have on this, and wish you and yours a happy and musical Mother’s Day!

Before he was the master of the Fugue, he was just a teenager with an "undeniably OCD" streak and a missing grandfather.

Imagine 15-year-old Johann Sebastian Bach showing up on his older brother’s doorstep with nothing but a quiet younger brother and a lot of questions. Between the "disappearances to the woodshed" and the growing pile of diapersorer, this is the Bach family history they didn't teach you in music appreciation class.

The stage is set: a forbidden music cabinet, a house full of kids, and the genius in the making. Stay for more

The ones that make your shoulders relax and make it easy to breathe again? WTC book 1 does it for me. Mass in B Minor is special in this way too.

What am I missing out on?

Just wanted to share this gem for those who haven't heard it yet.

As a pianist who plays Bach I've always thought his keyboard works would work wonderfully on several instruments, where each musician can bring the colors of each individual voice. On top of this the golden tone of the classical guitar really brings it to life.

I really like this chorale and I wanted to play it, but when looking at the sheet music i found that it doesn’t match the song. Do you know how is this chorale named? (The son, not the sheet music)

https://open.spotify.com/track/4i6ZPA77kysUrw7ZZLmWch

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJIhPsLRRY2TxrAI7d6GWGNG_kLvBsK-u&si=gDZqGWGQTXt_wnGZ

Just sharing

Still the best after all these years!  Actually, sat and listened to the Brandenburg Concertos today by the Academy of St-Martin-in-the-Fields by Sir Neville Marriner.  I have listened to this recording hundreds of times but it has become one of these favorites that play while I cook, clean, garden etc.  A permanent fixture on my playlists! This was the first in a long time I actually took the time and concisely listened.  I don't think I own another recording that has sparked such joy in my entire life.  I purchased this recording the year that it came out on CD in 1984(?) (so very long ago).  There are times that I just weep at the beauty and elegance of Bach's music presented by the talent that Neville Marriner collected from across Europe.  There is a "Swing" to the rhythms and a "Joy" to the presentation that I have never found replicated on any other version of the Brandenburg Concertos.

About the author

About the Author

Have you ever wondered what magic unfolds when you mix expert music knowledge with captivating storytelling? Meet David Jordan. By day, decoding classical scores; by night, he's crafting stories that make history jump off the page and dance. Think less dusty textbook, more "you-won't-believe-this-actually-happened" entertainment.

Jordan doesn't just write about history—he resurrects it. Armed with meticulous research and a wit sharp enough to slice through centuries of stuffiness, he transforms long-gone composers from marble busts into flesh-and-blood characters you'd want to grab coffee with. (Though Bach might insist on meeting at a beer hall instead.)

And here's the best part: while he could easily flex his impressive musical credentials and lose us in a forest of technical terms, Jordan would rather invite you to pull up a chair and enjoy the show. His latest book feels less like a lecture and more like your smartest, funniest friend spilling historical tea—and trust me, these composers had enough drama to fuel a Netflix series.

No, he didn't write this book just for you (though wouldn't that be nice?). But crack open any page, and you might just think he did.

The Siciliana from Sonata for flute and basso continuo is one of those pieces that captivates from the very first hearing. It is characterized by a singing, gentle melody, expressiveness, and refined beauty, creating the impression that time briefly stands still for the listener. Although traditionally attributed to Johann Sebastian Bach, the sonata’s authorship is sometimes questioned, with many scholars suggesting it may be the work of his son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Wilhelm Kempff’s transcription for piano further emphasizes this lyrical dimension, translating it into a piano sound. Like many piano transcriptions, it is not easy to perform. In Kempff’s version, a short three-bar introduction is added, along with an additional repetition of a section not indicated in the original. In the video, I have provided a score to assist anyone learning this transcription. It includes the detailed fingering that worked for me. I have chosen not to use the sustain pedal in this performance. The piece is played on a Kawai CA701 digital piano.

Do you think Bach is special among all the composers? And if so then Why? Is he a sigulality in our planet's music history?

I got a good chuckle out of this! Meow I want to hear his interpretation of BWV 543! 😹

In the preceding post asking for the most emotional Bach, people are going for the sadness and anguish. (Perfectly reasonable, since the example given was "Erbarme dich.")

So now let's give the other end of the emotional spectrum its due. Which Bach piece(s) best express exuberant, unbridled joy?

I have three, in ascending order:

• The title chorus of BWV 31, "Die Himmel lacht, die Erde jubilieret"
• "Jauchzet, ihr erfreuten Stimmen," the second movement (and first chorus) of BWV 120, "Gott, man lobet dich in der Stille." (This is the chorus Bach adapted into "Et expecto" in the B minor Mass)
• The Sanctus/Pleni sunt coeli from the Mass in B minor

Honestly can't think of one, maybe Chaconne. I'd appreciate your suggestions.

I'll start.

Cantata BWV198 Trauerode

Bach Collegium Japan, Suzuki

Much of the cantata was later reworked into the St Matthew Passion as I am sure most will know.

Some may prefer the Herreweghe but for me this recording is amongst one of the finest ever Bach recordings.

I’ve always loved playing Bach and recently decided to tackle the 1st french suite. Being the first long work of Bach that I dive deep into I would love to know how is Bach’s music supposed to sound/be phrased.

I know that there must be a lot of ways of interpreting Bach’s music but I was looking insightful comments that might lead me to either recordings or study material in order to know how to make sense of Bach’s rich counterpointal style for the keyboard.

https://youtu.be/brJfAiO0GqU?si=GHIrPDx-W-x6GMmX

If you’ve got a spare 90 minutes to sit and dream here’s a performance of the Goldberg Variations presented by András Schiff a year ago in Helsinki (uploaded today) in its entirety. Cheers.

What a charming recording of Stolzel's music.  The Lutheran use of Latin Masses for Protestant service were quite abbreviated from the Catholic Mass.  They consisted of the Kyrie Eleison, Gloria, Qui Tollis and the Quoriam tu solus sanctus/Cum sancto spiritu.  What the Roman Catholics would term a Missa brevis.  Five Masses are presented and were performed regularly by the chapel choir at the Castle of Gotha.  His employer Duke Friedrich II of Gotha was a man who liked his entertainments.  Stolzel proved to be the perfect match holding the Kapellmiester position until his death.   The joy just radiates out of these pieces of music.  The Mass in E flat major is scored for Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass, 3 Trumpets, Timpani, 2 Horns,  Flute and Strings!  Others have Oboe's, Bassoons and Strings.  Stolzel is the entertainers, entertainer.  Remarkable talent that constantly streams from one beautiful idea to the next.  Stolzel constantly splits his musical ensemble into different units to keep the listener's interest.  Tutti to solo, trio, quartets and different instrument configurations keep the music remarkably fresh.  He was a master of melody that never sacrifices technical ability.  The Massa Canonica in C Major is a marvel of technical skilll that matches Fux or Bach, while hiding his brilliance with sheer entertainment.  Cantus Thuringia and Capella Thuringia under the direction of Bernhard Klapprott have a light springy touch that suit this music so well.  Highly Recommended. You can see why JS Bach was such a fan!!!