John Dalmas <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Respectfully I have to disagree with you.  In much of Bach's instrumental
>music, but not all, I hear a composer merely exercising his craftsmanship,
>with very little musical inspiration behind what to me is often just a
>demonstration of pure mechanics.  Don't get me wrong, Bach is a genius at
>invention and construction but, to coin a phrase: "Where's the music?"

Well, it is healthy that somebody disagrees and expresses it with obvious
sincerity.  Now, as a violinist, I can say that either you are missing a
lot, or my whole life is pure mechanics.  Nothing can bring me closer to my
deepest self than playing some Bach sonata or partita.  Genius of invention
and construction can convey the fascination of rigor.  Inspiration can
bring the revelation of freedom.  I know that it is a trite way to put it,
but nothing like Bach's music has ever led me (and thousands of musicians,
of course) towards this overwhelming miracle, rigor and freedom not
fighting against each other, but enhancing each other, but revealing each
other.

I am too happy to say that there are many more wonderful works for solo
violin (not to mention piano), the ones already quoted by other members,
Sessions's excellent sonata, Kenins's Chaconne, works by Balakauskas,
Maticic, Reger...  And certainly it is no insult to say that they all
learnt much more than craftsmanship from Bach, however noble this may be.
We all learnt an immense deal about ourselves, and why we are musicians,
down (or up) to the most elementary cells of our life and soul.

Oh yes, if inspiration means something essential, Bach was inspired.

Best wishes

T.T.Le
[log in to unmask]