Today’s cultural moment
July 28, 2022
6 Comments | 
comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Hon Ho Nam, Johann Sebastian Bach | 
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Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Happy birthday, Johann
March 21, 2022A little revisionist history from The King’s Singers, in honor of the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).
J. S. Bach had a little problem. J. S. Bach was in a fix.
J. S. Bach couldn’t find an answer.
What to do? I’ve written most of a rather fabulous work!
Toccata, it’s in D minor, but now I’m feeling a bit of a jerk.
I can’t think of what should come after it.
Now, said his wife, who was resting up after her 33rd child,
Johann, my dear, you should just go to bed. Something always comes up.
Don’t be a twit! It’s a real crisis and I’m working to a deadline. What can I fit?
What to fit after the great toccata? Maybe it needs to be something faster.
I haven’t got a clue and in a week the piece is due!
I’m in a panic! I’m stuck like glue!
Don’t get your knickers in a twist, Johann.
Those are only notes, you’ve always said.
There’s only twelve so use your head!
How many arrangements of twelve notes can there possibly be?
That’s a problem I don’t want to deal with.
How many permutations on C and D and E and F and G, A, B is a thing that I never heard of.
You can leave that to Arnold Schönberg — he is the person to do that twelve-tone thing.
No! No! It isn’t the answer. I haven’t the foggiest. What am I gonna do?
I’m all in a panic! Aaah, no! What can I do?
I’ve finished my toccata but I have no fugue!
(Phone ringing)
Ah… and now I’ve got the fugue!
3 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Johann Sebastian Bach, The King's Singers | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Sunday musical offering
October 31, 2021
4 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Hauser, Johann Sebastian Bach, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Sunday musical offering
August 1, 2021
2 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Brandenburg Concerto #3, Johann Sebastian Bach, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Today’s cultural moment
April 15, 2021
1 Comment | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Johann Sebastian Bach, Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Musical offering for Good Friday
April 2, 2021
3 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Gesualdo Six, Good Friday, Johann Sebastian Bach | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Happy birthday, Johann
March 21, 2021In honor of the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), here is the Gigue from the French Suite No. 5, BWV816.
7 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: French Suite No. 5, Glenn Gould, Johann Sebastian Bach | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Sunday musical offering
June 21, 2020
3 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Air on the G String, Johann Sebastian Bach, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Happy birthday, Johann
March 21, 2019In honor of the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), here is the third movement of his Concerto in the Italian Style, BWV 971, published in 1735. Originally scored for a two-manual harpsichord, it’s played here by guitar duo.
12 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Italian Concerto, Johann Sebastian Bach | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
Happy birthday, Johann
March 21, 2018In honor of the birthday of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), here is an innovative performance of one of his greatest hits.
13 Comments | comfort & joy, musical offerings | Tagged: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Johann Sebastian Bach | Permalink
Posted by bluebird of bitterness
bluebird of bitterness 