Tell Me About Bach

**Xei** · 01-22-2011 12:23 AM

I'm reading a book called 'Goedel, Escher, Bach' at the moment and every so often the author will go off at a tangent where he describes various pieces of Bach and some of his methods. I've never listened to any Baroque before but the way Bach is described sounds really very appealing to me. I was wondering if there is anybody out there who can show me some good places to start and teach me how to appreciate it.

Ta.

**voidptr** · 01-22-2011 02:20 AM

Ahhh, Bach... My favorite composer. I haven't read that particular book, but I've heard it's supposed to be good.

One of the things I like about Bach is the way his melodies intertwine. This technique, known as counterpoint, was common in the Baroque, but he was a true master of it. Sometimes he'll have like 6 different parts going at once, each doing their own thing, but cooperating in perfect harmony.

You can definitely just listen to Bach recreationally, but I find it enhances the experience to know what's going on. Sometimes it can be hard to hear everything at once without a score, but I've found the animations below to be helpful. (Plus, who knows, maybe they'll give you some intense Tetris-like hypnagogic hallucinations?).

I can't post links yet, so you'll have to go to youtube yourself...

* Here's a good starter piece that shows what I mean. It's called the "Little Fugue". Notice how he takes the introductory melody, and passes it around between the different parts:
youtube.com/watch?v=pVadl4ocX0M

* Here's a beautifully relaxing melody known as "Air on the G string".
youtube.com/watch?v=E2j-frfK-yg

* Here's a more intense piece, from a concerto for two violins.
youtube.com/watch?v=-CwICXwLBmo

Bach was best known as a keyboardist and church organist in his day, though I especially enjoy his orchestral & instrumental works. My personal favorite pieces are his 6 Brandenburg Concertos. Let me know if you have more questions! :-D

Edit: Also, if I may ask, what is your musical background, and what in the book seemed appealing about Bach?

**Man of Shred** · 02-15-2011 06:39 PM

I'm a huge fan of some of his harpsichord concertos.

YouTube - 3.Presto - Concerto in D Minor BWV 1059 R for Harpsichord J.S.BACH

**Spartiate** · 02-15-2011 07:33 PM

Three Hollywood action movie stars go to a Halloween party. They decide to dress up as famous composers.

Sylvester Stalone says: I'll be Beethoven.

Steven Seagal says: I'll be Mozart.

Arnold Schwarzenegger says: I'll be Bach.

**StonedApe** · 02-18-2011 03:00 AM

Here's me playing the Crab CanonYouTube - Dreamviews Guitar Wars week 1 2011 - JS Bach's Crab Canon

The thing I like about Bach is the way he layers different melodies on top of each other.