Bach
by John Eliot Gardiner · first published 2013
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5HN commenters
2014–2025first – last mentioned
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Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the most unfathomable composers in the history of music. How can such sublime work have been produced by a man who (when we can discern his personality at all) seems so ordinary, so opaque, and occasionally so intemperate? John Eliot Gardiner grew up passing one of the only two authentic portraits of Bach every morning and evening on the stairs of his parents' house, where it hung for safety during World War II. He has been studying and performing Bach ever since, and is now regarded as one of the composer's greatest living interpreters. The fruits of this lifet
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English Conductor Sir. John Eliot Gardiner, who grew up singing and learning Bach cantatas as a child, he has published a lovely book "Bach: Music in the Castle of heaven". I think these lines from the very opening of his book will also enlighten us -- "Bach the musician is an unfathomable…
on “The Master's Voice: What we know of Bach, and may never comprehend” ↗Bach's life is so hidden from us in terms of letters from him, but we know enough to write some pretty good biographies. My personal favorite is Music in the Castle of Heaven, by John Eliot Gardiner the conductor.…
on “Bach’s Accidental Masterpiece” ↗About Bach's involvement and contributions in organ building technology of his age, the point of view comes from here discussed at length: "Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven" by John Eliot Gardiner. He is a reliable…
on “How Hillsong Church conquered the music industry” ↗The book is indeed good. For those wanting a sample of Gardiner's knowledge I'd recommend the documentary presented by him "Bach - A Passionate Life" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZVn9NZqyxs
on “Bach’s Accidental Masterpiece” ↗Review of the book Bach: Music in the Castle of Heaven by John Eliot Gardiner. A couple other reviews in the NYTimes http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/04/books/bach-music-in-the-ca... ...and the Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-revie...…
on “Why Bach Moves Us” ↗…brilliant performances of identical music, there are subtle, meaningful differences that can be heard and felt. I agree with that; it even corresponds to my own experience: I didn't recognize the beauty of Bach's Matthäus and Johannes Passions until I heard a recording by John Elliot Gardiner and his team for the first time (ironically, in the credits of a hollywood film); that moment - thirty years ago - was…
on “Why AI won't create great music” ↗