BaKXOS (October 13, 2008 at 7:15 pm)

Yeah indeed great fun to be arguing about Bach's music :-)I understand your point too, there should be room for diversity but as far as you don't destroy the composers musical meaning ;-)

jguggenh (October 13, 2008 at 5:52 pm)

The assembly of patterns and harmony from dissonance is Bach's lasting triumph; it is so astoundingly beautiful.

voncello (October 13, 2008 at 3:14 pm)

Isn't it great to be arguing about Bach? So much more satisfying than the economy! I understand your point and I don't deny it, but there is room for diversity. If everyone played Bach the same way that would get boring. At this fast tempo I may miss some of the subtle interplay but I also get a broad sweep that I would miss if it were slower. There is also a certain excitement that is refreshing, even though I would not want it all the time. I bet Bach would smile at hearing this.

BaKXOS (October 13, 2008 at 4:52 am)

"Fast" doesn't mean "breathless". There are the musical qualities first of all and you must keep this in mind when choosing a "fast tempo" to interpret. For example does the listener has the opportunity to perceive and and get the pleasure of the flute-violin musical dialog and musical interchange that happens in this piece? In such a tempo the answer in "NO". So this is not what the great J.S. Bach wrote! It's simple!

moneyjr1122 (October 13, 2008 at 2:28 am)

bon, tre` bien

quadeq (October 13, 2008 at 12:28 am)

umm... the keyboard is a harpsichord and they only have two ways to play: 1) loud and flat or 2) soft and flat. so yea...

voncello (October 12, 2008 at 5:33 pm)

Perhaps my friend did not notice that it is a Brandenburg CONCERTO! :-) From Encyclopedia Brittannica, " From the outset the concerto has been almost exclusively a three-movement form, with fast tempos in the first and third movements and a slow central movement. It has generally been intended to display the soloist's virtuosity." Would I play this piece this fast? Probably not, but hey variety is the spice of life! (That's what the judge is going to tell my wife.) Rock on!

BaKXOS (October 11, 2008 at 9:53 am)

One has the impression that someone chase the musicians and they have to escape. In such a condition there can be no room for the musical qualities of the piece to develop. It is rather a breathless, anxious road running than music! This is SO evident and clear in 5:35 to 5:45! This part simply does not work at all in such a fast tempo and it should be enough to make them understand that they are on the wrong way and I wonder how didn't they noticed!! It is Such a shame :-(

songczar (October 11, 2008 at 2:01 am)

Grand! How dare anyone critique this performance. It's a feat of the most glorious sort. It's not everyday a group of artists gather to share the virtuosity of Bach. Special thanks to Bacholoji!

Failein (October 10, 2008 at 4:21 am)

yeah i agree that the harpsicord solo was totally bland but I thought the Glenn Goulds recording was a little too slow, although he is a great musician.