On May 5, 2004, at 15:50, Donald Satz wrote:
>Most certainly. My primary reason for bringing up Leonhardt's Bach
>performances on harpsichord was to comment that both he and Leonhardt
>are masters at conveying the inevitability of Bach's music. Inevitability
>is not a product of the instrument used, but a product of the musical
>approach and execution of the performer. In macro-terms, it requires
>a long view of musical progression, and its micro-elements are rhythmic
>patterns, pacing, articulation, beat, etc. These are universal qualties
>not tied to any particular instrument.
I understand exactly what you are saying. "Inevitability" is a great
word for it. I realize that when listening to a lesser interpretation,
the notes are all succeeding each other correctly, and even making musical
sentences, but they are not part of any sort of narrative (not in the
literal programmatic sense) that makes any sense. I had always assumed
that one could not discuss harpsichord and piano versions in the same
thought, but that is obviously wrong. Is this particular to Bach? I
don't know if others wrote so many pieces that could be played on various
instruments and still work so well...
>As an aside, I have a humorous anecdote revolving around Bach. Glen
>Wilson is an exceptional Bach harpsichordist whose Well Tempered Clavier
>is available on Teldec (best harpsichord version on the market). ...
>
>"Is this the home of Don Satz, the Bach specialist"? I had
>just inhaled a gulp of orange juice, and the 'specialist' designation
>made me laugh so much that the juice came flying out of my mouth and
>zoomed right on to my dog's face. My wife and I kept laughing for
>about a minute. She knows and would agree that I only consider myself
>a specialist in procrastination. In the meantime, my dog Jackson runs
>for cover whenever I pour myself a glass of orange juice.
At least your dog has learned the art of the fugue.
Miguel Muelle
http://mmuelle.home.mindspring.com
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