Classical Music: An Introduction to Bach

 

'When words leave off, music begins.'     ~Heinrich Heine

Reading the classics is one way that we try to better our lives, and better our understanding of where (and who) we are in the world. Reading the great books that came before us strengthens our ability to become life long learners, helps become more curious, more empathetic and more aware of our own humility in the grand scheme of things. It keeps us humble and modest I suppose and can teach us many things about patience, appreciation and motivation. 

Listening to classical music can absolutely do the same for us. It can also give us a nice, calming break in our day or our week from the inane chatter of modern music, radio or the background noise of the television. It is perfect to play first thing in the morning for a quiet start to the day (my favourite way to listen to it) or at around 3pm when you sit down for a nice afternoon tea, another classic past-time. I also like to have it playing quietly in the background when writing blog posts, preparing lessons or marking students' work. And just with reading the classics, there is a classical music style for every taste!

My favourite type of classical music is Baroque music, which I find just so uplifting but soothing at the same time. Therefore, I thought I would introduce you to one of my favourite pieces: the Brandenburg Concertos by Bach. The biography below is adapted from The Oxford Illustrated Dictionary of Music by Michael Hurd (second edition, 1979), an old but well loved book in our house, for which I could find no online link. 

source

Johann Sebastian Bach was born at Eisenach, in Saxony in 1685. He was born into a great musical family, one that was active in many aspects of German musical life from the middle of he 16th century to the middle of the 19th century. When he was nine years old his father and mother died within months of each other and he was adopted by his eldest brother, Johann Christoph, who was organist at Ohrdruf. Johann Christoph became Johann Sebastian's music teacher; but he also attended the town school, where he had a classical education in Latin, Greek, theology and arithmetic. When he was 18 he was offered a post at Weimar, as one of the musicians of the brother of the reigning Duke, and a few months later a better post as organist at Arnstadt. In 1717 he began employment in the court of Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen, where he spent six years as Kapellmeister. 

Musically speaking, Bach's greatness lies in his ability to combine a single melodic line (the 'tune') and a supporting harmony underneath (you can hear this so clearly in Concerto 1 my favourite).  He was a deeply religious man - as may of his greatest works prove. Though respected as a composer, he was admired during his lifetime as a great organist and keyboard performer, and it was only many years after his death that his real importance came to be recognised.

Bach enjoyed a happy married life (particularly in his second marriage) and produced, in all, 20 children, of whom only 11 survived childhood. The boys became musicians, and three at least are still regarded as 'great' in their own right. His music has influenced other great composers, such as Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven.

At the end of his life Bach became blind. His death attracted little attention and his widow was left to live out her life in great poverty.  Johann Sebastian Bach died at Leipzig in 1750. 

    "The title ‘Brandenburg Concertos’ was dreamed up in the 19th century by Bach’s first biographer but, in fact, they were never conceived as a set nor intended specifically for the Margrave – Bach selected them from his back catalogue of works written while Kapellmeister at the court of Cöthen (1717-23).

Their wide-ranging instrumentation and virtuoso demands were designed to showcase Cöthen's outstanding instrumentalists, whose talents seem to have spurred Bach on to explore the potential of the concerto form itself which he reinvented with each new work." classical-music.com

This recording on Youtube has all of the Concertos in a beautiful 90 minute continuation, although originally Bach didn't plan for them to be played as a set. The pictures that support the music are also lovely and classic. As you listen, see if you can notice the adagio (slow music) contrasting with the allegro (quick tempo) of the music and also listen out for the harmony played behind the main tune. It's absolutely beautiful - and although I am slightly tone deaf and have never had any classical music training, I love to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the music.  

I really hope you take the time to listen to some Bach this week, and please let me know how you enjoyed it.

Do you listen to classical music? If so, what is your favourite?