The WTF Bach Podcast

A brief(er) episode for you today: Bach's first published opus was his six partitas for keyboard. In some of the sources within Bach's circle, copies retained as a ‘Handexemplar' include revisions by a scribe we can almost say with certainty is Bach himself. The most consequential of these revisions appears at the end of the third partita, where the second half of the Gigue is re-written with what one might call ‘updated' or ‘refined' counterpoint. Here we see the main source (G 25) in question:Hard to see here, but if we zoom in, we see that this:Is a correction of the original printings, which read:This link here should allow you to download the original print of all six partitas. N.B. As that link is the download of the original print, it will not contain any of the corrections mentioned in this episode. For a full list of the scholarship on these changes, see: Wolff, C. (1999). Text-critical comments on the original print of the Partitas. In Bach: Essays on his life and music (pp. 214-222). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

The final performer's commentary episode for you. This is live commentating (the program notes of the future) on the last of my three simultaneous releases. This album is a bunch of preludes and fugues— some maybe you know, some maybe you don't.You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer's commentary from the third volume below. [More streaming links (including youtube playlists) at the bottom:]How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to achieve maximum effect.Volume One:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamhApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6rApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Johann Adolph Scheibe went down in history for attacking Bach's “turgid and confused” style. “…from the natural to the artificial, and from the lofty to the obscure ... one wonders at the painful labor of it all, that nevertheless comes to nothing, since it is at variance with reason.”Let's examine the controversy from the beginning. How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to achieve maximum effect.Volume One:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamhApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6rApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

On March 1, 1749, Bach penned the following into a Stammbuch:Today's episode covers this canon in depth. What does it mean? How does it sound?Here is a link to the article by scholar, Anatoly Milka.The book, Bach and the meaning of Counterpoint, by David Yearsley is available here.How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to make me a millionaire.Volume One:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamhApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6rApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Another performer's commentary episode for you. If you've missed out on the second of my three simultaneous releases, you'll have a chance to listen to it here, with my live commentary. You can stream and individually purchase any track including the performer's commentary from the second volume here. —More streaming links (including youtube playlists) at the bottom:How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to achieve maximum effect.Volume One:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamhApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Youtube playlist!Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6rApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks for your feedback on the last few episodes. I've gathered my listeners enjoy piecing together musical cells in their minds, so today's episode will bring you more of that.The eight surviving canons, BWVs 1072-1078 (+BWV deest) were written on small pieces of paper or penned into registry books. Their compact content, usually only a few notes, is then ‘solved:' copied and transformed to make a perpetual piece of music in several voices.You will hear the solutions in the episode. Here is how they appear on the page:This is the first canon discussed. From these two measures of music, eight voices are formed.This is the second canon discussed: a four-voice canon with each voice entering a successive fifth higher than the last. It's the four clefs at the beginning of the line that clue you in on this. The %-like symbol shows you where the next voice enters.This is BWV 1074, the mysterious ‘Houdemann' canon. Note the four clefs on the left of the staff, but also the four clefs to the right. They are inverted with a different key signature. Bach here was exploring the a truly symmetrical— not merely diatonic— inversion.The final canon of the episode. The charming two-voice canon for one of his Godchildren. This canon is simple to solve and the easiest to comprehend.Yes, the famous F-A-B-E-R, “mi fa, et fa mi est tota musica” canon will be in one of the next episodes— rest assured!How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to achieve maximum effect.Volume One:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamhApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6rApple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

If you miss those DVDs with the optional director's commentary, you're going to enjoy this episode.Each album in my ‘J.S. Bach Complete Solo Keyboard Works' will be accompanied by this type of work, my commentating as the music plays. You can stream (and individually purchase) any track including the performer's commentary from the first album here:How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.comThe first three albums of the 'Complete Works for Solo Keyboard' are live everywhere. Stream while sleeping to achieve maximum effect.Volume One: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/ycy2fab7 Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4t Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pws Volume Two: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/msjyhamh Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnz Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6w Volume Three:Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4xneak6r Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmf Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsb Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

You know that portrait of Bach holding a little scrap of music? Ever wonder what the piece was? What it sounded like? That piece of paper is a six-voice, triple canon: number thirteen in the fourteen additional canons found on the back of Bach's personal copy of the Goldberg Variations. (Analysis of that specific canon around 32 min.)We've covered nine of these puzzling pieces in three previous episodes, but now it's time to call it a wrap on all fourteen. These additional canons were discovered only as late as the 1970s. For a more detailed history, check the three previous episodes dealing with these canons:Here is the image of the canon, “Christ will Crown the Cross-bearers” that appears in the family registry book belonging to J.G. Fulde:And of course, Bach and his “business card:”The bass line in both the images (and in all of the canons) is our beloved “first eight fundamental notes of the preceding aria” on which all the canons are based.Be sure to get my forthcoming three albums on PRESALE before they go live on May 17th!Volume One:Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/nhfuws4tAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mrxj7pwsVolume Two:Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mtykbxnzAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3m7b9v6wVolume Three:Apple Music: https://tinyurl.com/mr44kwmfAmazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/3e4kwnsbHow To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

ALBUMS ON PRESALE TODAY! BUY THE ALBUMS HERE!Volume One:Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/pl/album/j-s-bach-complete-keyboard-works-vol-1-five-early-suites/1742017750Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0D2384W2F?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_RKDX0CTSrSQOjYLoHcLjwnaalVolume Two:Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/jp/album/j-s-bach-complete-keyboard-works-vol-2-original-compositions/1742025499Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0D23KCFB2?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_mHA1bzUWmIrfRclqYKWzKynspVolume Three:Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/pl/album/j-s-bach-complete-keyboard-works-vol-3-misc-preludes/1742020206Amazon Music: https://amazon.com/music/player/albums/B0D23VWM3J?marketplaceId=ATVPDKIKX0DER&musicTerritory=US&ref=dm_sh_jOzPVjVDkSiB8t9qwOuFSXrZ8As for the music covered today, we will hear Doubles layered over their preceding dance movements. A Double is an elaboration on the preceding movement, where the melody is quickened— often twice as quickly. The harmonic structure of the Double and its preceding movement is the same, allowing for one to play both movements at the same time with very interesting results. Pieces studied:Sarabande and Double from Sixth English Suite, BWV 811Gigue and Double from the c minor lute suite, BWV 997Partita in b minor for solo violin, BWV 1002People/places mentioned:Burp Castle at 41 East 7th Street in the East Village of Manhattan (between 2nd Ave & Cooper Square).Paul Spring (guitarist)How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Thanks for all your support during The Bach Store! If you're in NYC on Friday, come to Le Poisson Rouge at 158 Bleecker Street at 7pm.Be sure to mark your calendars: April 24th, 2024, my new albums will be on PRE-sale. It marks the beginning of my most ambitious project to date: a very thorough, if possible, ‘complete' set of the keyboard works of Bach. I will certainly send another reminder as the date approaches.And now for a brief journey into Bach around this date in 1724: today's episode covers the cantata for the second Sunday after Easter, BWV 104, Du Hirte Israel, höre. Unlike the other cantatas I have recently discussed, this cantata is not based on a chorale melody. And don't miss out on your WTF Bach merchandise! Here are seven magnets for your fridge. Send me a note to arrange a sale (T-Shirts, Pins, Bags, 3D Printed Heads, Lighters, also available).How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

You read correctly: The Bach Store is back. In Erfurt, Thuringia, the state from where the Bachs hail. I will play for five hours, March 14-28, 12.00-18.00 GMT +1 (7AM-1PM EST.) You can (hopefully) stream the whole run on my youtube. Subscribe HERE.Or go to: www.youtube.com/@wtfbachHere is the latest video I mentioned in the podcast.Bach Store Merchandise is available on request. Send an email to bach (at) wtfbach (dot com)—Meanwhile, the music in today's episode comes from the “Neumeister Collection,” a collection of over 80 chorale preludes from multiple composers, published for the first time in 1985. More than 30 of the pieces come from J.S. Bach ca. 1700, when the composer was only 15 year old. Hence one of the newest Bach discoveries showed us the youngest portraits of the composer. I played three of them, one on a ‘real' organ (Saint Anne's, London) and two on Organteq (by Modartt.) —How To Support This Podcast:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachor become a paid subscriber at wtfbach.substack.com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

This week I'll be performing some flute chamber music in Santa Barbara, California. I realize I've never specifically mentioned Bach's wonderful flute repertoire on this podcast. We tackle here what I find is the most complex composition in the repertoire: the first movement of the b minor sonata, BWV 1030.Pieces heard:BWV 1030.1 Source P. 1008, early version, harpsichord part.BWV 1030.2 The later version, arranged as a flute sonata.Articles:Contentious writing on flute vs. recorderYour Support Is What Keeps Us Alive!https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachCheck out WTF Bach's Youtube!New videos appearing soon.Join the mailing list for very occasional blasts: wtfbach.substack.comWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

This is the final episode introducing Bach's cantata cycle of 1724. In the first four cantatas of the cycle, we heard how Bach used Lutheran hymnal melodies as cantus firmi in different voice parts in each opening movement (sopranos, followed by altos, followed by tenors, followed by basses.)Here, the next two cantatas see less predictable treatments of the old melodies. Bach evidently valued these two cantatas, as later in life he arranged single movements from both BWV 10 and BWV 93 into his publication of organ music known as the “Schübler Chorales.” Pieces heard:BWV 10, Meine Seel erhebt den Herren (Full Performance of the cantata)BWV 648, Meine Seel erhebt den Herren (Organ version)BWV 93, Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt waltenCheck out WTF Bach's Youtube!New videos to start appearing soon.Your Support Is What Keeps Us Alive!https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachCheck this playlist:I mentioned this playlist in the episode: all the cantatas in the 1724 cycle. Love to my fans!The book I mentioned on the use of ‘Tonus Peregrinus”Join the list for updates if you haven't already:wtfbach.substack.comWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Last episode we introduced Bach's second cantata cycle from 1724. We saw in the first cantatas of the cycle, Bach used a church melody as the cantus firmus first in the sopranos, then the altos. This episode we will explore the next two cantatas where Bach sets the cantus firmus in the tenors in BWV 7, and the basses in BWV 135. About the melody you may know as “O Sacred Head Surrounded” Pieces heard:BWV 7, Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam (Full Performance)BWV 135, Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder (Full Performance)Oh, you don't follow WTFBach on Instagram? For shame! Posting almost daily music from the keyboard repertoire.We Need Your Support!https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachCheck this playlist:A fan of the show made this great Spotify playlist with all the cantatas in the second cycle! Thank you! Love to my fans-Join the list for updates if you haven't already:wtfbach.substack.comWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Peter Schickele was one of my idols. He died on Tuesday, January 16. His creation, P.D.Q. Bach, helped bring much needed self-effacing humor to the world of classical music. Links below to help you get into his (and Victor Borge's— another giant of classical music parody—) life and work:Peter Schickele's Obituary, NY TimesBeethoven's 5th announced as a baseball game (a classic!)The Short-Tempered ClavierReport from Hoople (full album- the Beethoven sketch is included)The Definitive Autobiography of P.D.Q. Bach (1807-1742?)and we should also mention,Victor Borge (anything you can find will amuse you!)Good Ol' Piano SlapstickMozart OperaInflationary LanguageTelevision Special (75+ Min) Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode we delve into Bach's second cantata cycle begun in 1724. The first two cantatas are briefly covered, (with two further cantatas to follow next episode) as well as the connection between the Lutheran church melodies and the significance of the year Bach began this ambitious project.Pieces heard:BWV 20, O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (Click here to see the live video)BWV 2, Ach Gott, vom Himmel sieh dareinBWV 684, Chirst unser Herr zum Jordan KammSupport us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachJoin the list for updates if you haven't already:wtfbach.substack.comWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com(@wtfbach on instagram) Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

I rarely just play on this podcast, but that's how I'd like to package this little present for my listeners. Rather than spending days researching and writing, today I will play four fugues and introduce them only briefly. It's some twenty minutes of music I hope you can enjoy during your holidays. The quote I read to introduce this short concert is by Mortimer J. Adler.Bach wrote this music before 1717 (at the latest.) These are fugues whose themes originated in the work of other composers. Bach borrows these themes and creates his own work. These fugues are not commonly played which make them all the more fun to listen to and study.As always, thanks for listening, thanks for spreading the word and supporting this podcast. I'm looking forward to 2025 with you Bach enthusiasts.Fugues I performed:Fugue in C major, BWV 966 (on a theme by Adam Reinken)Fugue in C major, BWV 946 (on a theme by Tomaso Albinoni)Fugue in a minor, BWV 965 (on a theme by Adam Reinken)Fugue in A major, BWV 949 (probably on a theme by Tomaso Albinoni)Support us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode we have a look at one of Bach's Arnstadt masterpieces, the fugue in c minor BWV 574 on a theme by Giovanni Maria Bononcini (The composers Giovanni Bononcini and Antonio Maria Bononcini were his sons.) According to the Neue Bach Ausgabe, this fugue is the first double fugue in history.Here is a picture of the title page in his brother's hand with the erroneous attribution to Legrenzi:You can download the music to the fugue here. (The MIDI version I created at the end of the episode is BWV574b.) Today's sponsor is Modartt. I am playing the organ using their wonderful software, Organteq. Read about the physical modeling here. Thanks to them, and thanks to all my listeners.Support us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

Firstly, here is the image of what's in question:If you've ever wondered what all the ‘squiggles' are about over certain notes in sheet music, this episode will you give you a good idea. Here is the ‘Applicatio,' the little piece which would have shown Bach's son (and other future students) how to apply these ornaments- notice the fingering and the ‘J.N.J.':Just a quick episode today! Stay tuned for more writings and longer episodes soon.Support us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

How did Bach understand the concept of Phi? 1.618…? Here are a few examples where Bach highlights the “Golden Section” in a piece through either a fugal technique, a shift in musical language, or something else. Send us your most remarkable golden section moments!For the first episode where I mentioned the golden section and Bach, click here.Pieces covered:Fugue in C major, BWV 846Invention in C major, BWV 770Allegro from Sonata in a minor, BWV 1003Confiteor and Et Expecto from Mass in b minor, BWV 232Contrapuntus 10 from The Art of Fugue, BWV 1080Phi as seen as a structural principle in BWVs 1001-1006, The Sei Solo Book One (Violin Sonatas and Partitas) will be written about soon!Fugue in b minor, BWV 869Performers featured:Trevor PinnockNathan MilsteinSigiswald Kuijken (and La Petite Bande)Ralph KirkpatrickSupport us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode I delve into two very diverse chorale preludes: one from the so-called, “Great 18” and one from the individually transmitted. Here is a link to Bach's own autograph of the Leipzig chorales. Beautiful handwriting! Marie-Claire Alain's recording of BWV 655 (completely different to Koopman's) The “Organ Sonatas” I recorded with LH/RH hard panning On Spotify on Apple MusicP.S. This is the first episode released on the new substack website- please shout if you experience problems!Support us:https://www.paypal.me/wtfbachhttps://venmo.com/wtfbachhttps://cash.app/$wtfbachWrite us:bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com Get full access to WTF Bach at wtfbach.substack.com/subscribe

-- I AM STARTING A SUBSTACK SOON SO JOIN THE FUN: WTFBACH.SUBSTACK.COM -- Thanks for listening! In this episode we discuss the history of the Chorale- how it became called 'Chorale' and how it factors into Bach's music. Pieces featured: BWV 691 and BWV 93 (Chorale) at the same time BWV 651 BWV 682 Performers were: Michel Chapuis, Kay Johannsen -- Here are the links to the cantata cycles mentioned at the end, thank you, Tucker! From the profile you can access different ensembles' complete cantata cycles as well as other great selections. Tucker's Spotify Playlists   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

Though this episode starts with quite the extended introduction, this is in fact EPISODE THREE In a four-part study into the 14 additional canons on the back of the Goldbergs, BWV1087. Here in this video, we dismiss a popular Bach video, and examine which videos are in fact Möbius strips.  Here is the disproven crab canon video. Here are two studies which don't quite go far enough: One. I love this channel, don't get me wrong- they just didn't quite examine the consequences of chromatic inversion. Two. The American Mathematical Society publishes similarly. Both studies miss the technical inversions that I have pointed out in this episode. -- And now the blurb from the other two episodes studying BWV 1087: On the back of his own personal copy of the 'Goldberg Variations', Bach notated an additional fourteen canons. These were discovered only as late as 1974(!) and are among the most interesting compositional exercises we know from the composer.  From eight bass notes (the first 8 notes of the 'Goldberg' Aria- the structure in a sense,) Bach creates, yes, fourteen other canons. In this episode, we discuss engraving and canons 5-9. Here is what they look like as seen on the back of Bach's own copy: and HERE is the link to engraving- you can see how Balthasar Schmid (I accidentally added an 'S' to his name in the episode) engraved Bach's BWV988. Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach Ideas? Wanna sponsor an episode? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

Finally! The influential Joshua Rifkin guests on the WTF Bach Podcast.  Rifkin made Bach fame with his groundbreaking (and controversial!) theory that Bach's vocal works (and other 17th & 18th century) composers' works were sung with only one singer per part. He recorded the b minor mass, several cantatas, and other Bach works in this format.  We spoke for almost three hours about ragtime, the Beatles, PDQ Bach (my distant uncle), even crossword puzzles, coffee and meditation. For this episode, though, I culled it quite severely to only that which deals with Bach's music.  It's fascinating to hear him talk about his scholastic endeavors dealing with first-hand examination of source material. Do you agree with Rifkin? Do you like the sound of one singer per part? - - Follow Evan's instagram, because... well... it's the only one you should follow. - - Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach -- Suggestions? Want Evan to analyze a specific piece of Bach? Have other questions for Evan about music or... anything... anything at all? Write us: bach@wtfbach.com

Q: What if those really slow interpretations of the cello suites from the 30s and 50s could be sped up? A: Exactly.   https://www.jsbachcellosuites.com - check out this website! It's a great source on the history of the recordings of these pieces.   Thanks for all your feedback, donations, ideas, everything. Please follow @wtfbach on instagram for (almost) daily Bach content.   We thank YOU for supporting us! https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

Thanks for supporting us through 50 episodes!  What makes Bach, BACH?! As a special celebration, the 50th episode of The WTF Bach Podcast is a live lecture presented by Tonebase. The topic is the ever looming one: why is Bach's importance so great? Studying the ideas behind a few of his instrumental collections, we see that Bach's ideas are always expanding outward, perhaps lending to his all-pervasive influence.  Learn more about Tonebase.   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Ideas? Wanna sponsor an episode? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

EPISODE TWO: On the back of his own personal copy of the 'Goldberg Variations', Bach notated an additional fourteen canons. These were discovered only as late as 1974(!) and are among the most interesting compositional exercises we know from the composer.  From eight bass notes (the first 8 notes of the 'Goldberg' Aria- the structure in a sense,) Bach creates, yes, fourteen other canons. In this episode, we discuss engraving and canons 5-9. Here is what they look like as seen on the back of Bach's own copy: and HERE is the link to engraving- you can see how Balthasar Schmid (I accidentally added an 'S' to his name in the episode) engraved Bach's BWV988. Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Ideas? Wanna sponsor an episode? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

I was recently asked to explain chromaticism, so I thought I'd give it a try here. Bach's fugue based on a theme by Tomaso Albinoni in B minor, BWVs 951, and 951a: the subject itself contains a chromatic descent (B, A#, A, G#, G, F#) and though Albinoni himself wrote it, it was Bach who brought the ideas behind such chromaticism to the next level.  HERE is the recording which I was not able to credit. If you know whose recording this is, please write me, I'll fix it! and HERE is the version (BWV 951, not BWV951a) which I played on the MIDI harpsichord, highlighting the chromatic lines on one of my favorite youtube channels.  As always, thank you for your support, your feedback, your passion! -es Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Ideas? Kvetches? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

On the back of his own personal copy of the 'Goldberg Variations', Bach notated an additional fourteen canons. These were discovered only as late as 1974(!) and are among the most interesting compositional exercises we know from the composer.  From eight bass notes (the first 8 notes of the 'Goldberg' Aria- the structure in a sense,) Bach creates, yes, fourteen other canons. In this episode, we introduce the history, the idea behind the canons and the first four canons. Here is what they look like as seen on the back of Bach's own copy: and here are the Handel variations on the Chaccone of which I speak in this episode: https://youtu.be/X_Lp9ZWWI-Q?t=73   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Ideas? Kvetches? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

This episode was inspired by my recent discovery and purchase of an Encyclopedia Britannica. It's a fascinating collection of knowledge and I highly recommend finding some volumes and reading them. This is the Bach article appearing in the EB from as early as 1926 even until the 1960s, written by D.F. Tovey.  We also listen to fugue BWV 959, very early, very wild, very W.T.F. in unequal temperament.  More episodes on the way! Spread the love! -- LINKS: The text of the Borges story I mentioned Donald Francis Tovey (author of the article I read) The archived scan of a 1926 Encyclopedia Britannica volume containing, "Bach, J.S. Homepage of the EB: https://www.britannica.com -- Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Complaints? Confusions? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

More than simply, “in tune” or “out of tune” a temperament is a solution to the ancient problem of creating a circle out of a spiral. By the time Bach had his shake at this problem, the musical world had advanced far enough, setting the stage for his great mind to create a well-tempered solution that allowed him to compose in all 24 keys. Not all keys sound the same in the vast majority of temperaments, in fact, in only our modern equal-tempered one do we find all keys equal. Does our insistence on this system destroy the whole point of temperament? Or is it the most perfect arrangement of tones?  Plus:  -Actually listen to a pythagorean comma, the root of the problem... -The circle of (pure) fifths -Bach chorales in different temperaments -The Art of Fugue, 6th fugue in a funky temperament   Try the frequencies experiment yourself!  Pull up multiple windows on: https://onlinetonegenerator.com   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Complaints? Confusions? Want to sponsor us? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com  

How much more famous can music be than that one Prelude in C? The Prelude BWV 846, the first prelude in the Well-Tempered Clavier, is heard everywhere, but why? How? What purpose could such a piece have served in Bach's day? We discuss two early, shorter versions of the prelude, and one erroneous version with an inauthentic bar (the 'Schwenke measure' - be on the look out if your copy has 36 bars and not 35!) Answering, "How has this prelude influenced musicians even today?" we explore modern versions by John K. Stone, Elaine Comparone, my challenge to Brad Mehldau, and invert this prelude (and a few others) note for note to hear the 'photo negative'.  Links: 'Jesu Joy' in a Japanese Forest (Cell Phone Ad) John K. Stone's 'Fantasy on a Bach Prelude' Elaine Comparone's version of the same prelude   As always: Thank you for listening! Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Got suggestions? Complaints? Confusions? Want to sponsor an episode? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

It started with an Instagram Post, but like all questions about Bach, to answer the question of Bach's 'longest' piece required posing further questions:   Longest how? Minutes? In terms of Measures? In terms of the longest single piece on a concert? ...wait, what is a 'piece' anyhow? Does one of the passions count as a single piece? What about just the amount of notes?  You may be surprised to hear the answers... or maybe you've know the answer in your heart of hearts all along. Follow Evan on Instagram for interactive content: www.instagram.com/WTFBach Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Suggestions? Want to sponsor an episode? Write us: bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com

A brief analysis of Cantata 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV147. Such a large piece of music, it gets it own episode. Will I continue to devote episodes to the cantatas? Read the bottom of the description.  The work is famous for, if nothing else, the two chorales that we know as 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring.' As it was suggested by a listener, this is part two of the previous listener's choice episode.  -- People or Music mentioned: Rudolph Lutz Joshua Rifkin Robert Bridges (English poet laureate) Wendy Carlos Lady Lynda (Song by The Beach Boys) Myra Hess -- Thank you to each of you who donate to these episodes: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach -- WTF Bach and the Cantatas: These are daunting pieces with very complicated histories, hence the delay in getting this episode to you. As is the case with all research, one has to be rather careful before making even the simplest of statements about a piece of Bach. They are largely orchestrated pieces as well, for many instruments, which makes a 'dissection' of such a piece much more difficult. They are often longer in length compared to a prelude and fugue or many other instrumental pieces. For many (if not most) people who enjoy Bach, their 'ignorance' of his music usually falls somewhere within the cantatas.  This is all to say on a personal note, that while creating this episode, I spent some five times longer than I normally would. Naturally I enjoyed doing as everyone needs to brush up on the cantatas. Still, as I always love hearing from you, send me a note: let me know if you want more cantatas and I will find a way to make these episodes come quicker. As always, sincerely, -e

SPOILER ALERT! I split this episode into TWO! The NEXT episode will cover cantata BWV147 exclusively.  -- To begin your week! Three pieces you requested were: Toccata in g minor BWV915 Allabreve in D major BWV589 Cantata BWV147 (NEXT EPISODE!) -- Please enjoy my brief analysis of these pieces which, in their own right, could take up many episodes each, and THANK YOU for suggesting I cover them. Please keep your suggestions coming!  -- Bach's Music Floating in Outer Space Performers featured today were, in order: Trevor Pinnock Christine Schornsheim Ton Koopman Simon Preston -- Thank you to each of you who donate to these episodes: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

It was brought to my attention that, yesterday, at the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, there was only one non-Biritsh piece of music included. It was of course penned by our beloved J.S. Bach, whose inclusion in the royal festivities made an impression on me. The piece was this gorgeous fantasy for organ BWV 562, discussed in this episode. Enjoy! The unfinished harpsichord fugue discussed by me  Marie-Claire Alain's performance of BWV 562 Martin Lücker's performance of BWV 562   I know I said this last time but for real this time: NEXT EPISODE IS LISTENER'S CHOICE- SEND ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS   Thank you to each of you who donate to these episodes: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

This week I chose to read experts from the 'New Bach Reader', a compilation book of documents from Bach's life or shortly thereafter. These documents are sometimes letters, receipts, or newspaper notices, but might be a dinner bill for an inn where Bach stayed, or his candid thoughts on singers. I highly recommend this book. Find it here.   NEXT EPISODE IS LISTENER'S CHOICE- SEND ME THE PIECE YOU WANT: Bach (at) WTFBACH (dot com)   Thank you to each of you who donate to these episodes: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach  

Last Episode WTF Bach explained how computers, using MIDI, could help us understand Bach in a unique way. Here then, is a brief episode of four Bach MIDI files, played with very basic computer operations (quantized 16th notes, panning between speakers, mechanical slowing down and speeding up).  It's likely you've never heard Bach in this way before. The question therefore is, 'Did you learn something?'  -- Don't forget to donate to this production: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach And let us know how we are doing, Bach (at) WTFBACH (dot com)

How can computers help us understand Bach? What is MIDI?  In this episode we learn how MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) files, that is, a sort of sheet-music for computers, can help us explore Bach's music in modern and novel ways.  If you don't read music or play an instrument, MIDI files might be your way into Bach's mind. Even if you are a virtuoso Bachian, there will be something in MIDI technology that can help you uncover further details throughout Bach's most fascinating constructions.   Dave (of Dave's J.S. Bach page) talks about the 'art of MIDI' My album featuring 'panning' between two upper voices in Bach   Three links to Bach MIDI files: 1) https://www.midiworld.com/bach.htm 2) http://www.jsbach.net/midi/ 3) https://www.kunstderfuge.com/bach.htm   Don't forget to donate to this production:   https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   And let us know how we are doing, Bach (at) WTFBACH (dot com)

Two episodes ago we covered the first movement of the fifth Brandenburg concerto up to the famous harpsichord cadenza. In this episode we look at the two existing versions of the famous cadenza: an early version a mere 18 measures, and the the famous one, more than three times as long.  Alfred Cortot Glenn Gould's video mentioned is here: https://youtu.be/gvs4v_aswfk Ton Koopman's featured live performance is here: https://youtu.be/eLJ24CnVRyQ And the film in which Leonhardt himself plays Bach (The Chronicle of Anna Magdalena Bach) is here: https://youtu.be/MhZ71owC7Ps Donate to this podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

In this episode, we will look at: The genesis of the Brandenburg concerti, What Bach's job was like when these compositions came about, Who his employer was then, How much music Bach was composing at that time, Why a Baroque composer writes anything at all, The difference between a modern composer and one in the Baroque.   Then finally, we will disprove another famous Bach myth: ‘Bach composed the last of the Brandenburg concerti to get fired'  -- **PS: Any of my listeners want to start correcting some of the Wikipedia pages with Bach BS (Bad Scholarship) and linking the sources to these episodes? Write me (email below) — Donate to this podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach __ I love my listener feedback! Keep it coming! Bach (at) WTFBACH (dot com)

This episode and the next two will cover the first movement of the fifth ‘Brandenburg' concerto, BWV1050, a concerto for solo flute, violin and harpsichord.    The recording featured in this episode is Il Giardino Armonico (probably my favorite recording of all six Brandenburg Concerti). This is the YouTube link.   Thank you for your emails, your donations and your suggestions. Keep ‘em coming Bach (at) wtfbach (dot) com   Follow me on IG where I post almost daily Bach content: @WTFBach    Donate to this podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

GUESS WHO'S BACK? BACK AGAIN?  THE BACH STORE is in GERMANY March25-April8. Stream it here: Twitch.tv/wtf_Bach Let's kick off this season discussing the fugue for violin in G minor BWV1001, and its arrangement for Organ BWV539. There is also one for lute (perhaps lute harpsichord) BWV1000.  Donate to this podcast:  https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach Links to music played in this episode: Milstein 1957 Milstein 1975 Robert Hill arranges the Adagio Helmut Walcha BWV539 Narisco Yepes, Lute Reitze Smits BWV539 Email me at Bach at WTFBACH dot com  

So! We've done it: Looked in depth at every fugue, every canon, solved the mysteries, busted the myths, sent the Bach heretics back to whence they came. And now? Let's just enjoy...  Topics covered: The golden sections in other Bach pieces and how this could help us find the golden section here, even in this fugal fragment.  'God the Father' 'God the Spirit' 'God the Son' as three themes. -- THE LAST PAGE ! CLICK HERE to see the 'corrupt' staves on which it would have been impossible to complete such a dense fugue. **Note the staff three from the bottom** -- Koopman playing the B-flat minor, book two -- Follow Evan on Instagram for even more Bachian content: www.instagram.com/WTFBach BECOME A PATRON OF EVAN'S: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach Support us: https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach Suggestions? Want Evan to analyze a specific piece of Bach? Have other questions for Evan about music or anything at all? Write us: bach@wtfbach.com

This is the final fugue of The Art of Fugue, the famous 'unfinished' fugue, number 14. We discuss how one could have understood this fugue to have been unfinished in earlier periods in musical history (it was finished) and what exactly is missing.  THE LAST PAGE ! CLICK HERE to see the 'corrupt' staves on which it would have been impossible to complete such a dense fugue. **Note the staff three from the bottom** Topics covered: B+A+C+H = 14 B-A-C-H as a melody and fugue subject. Where the missing, 4th theme, comes in this quadruple fugue.  The final combination of all four themes and its 'note for note' inversion as mentioned in Bach's obituary of 1754.  -- Follow Evan on Instagram for even more Bachian content: www.instagram.com/WTFBach BECOME A PATRON OF EVAN'S: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach Support us: https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach Suggestions? Want Evan to analyze a specific piece of Bach? Have other questions for Evan about music or anything at all? Write us: bach@wtfbach.com

Guest Interview: Christoph Wolff, Former Head of the Bach Archive in Leipzig.  I had the privilege of speaking to Christoph Wolff, certainly the most distinguished Bach scholar of the 20th century, even until today. From Jimi Hendrix to Rudolph Serkin, from the music Bach's composed which is lost, to the famous "Seal of 1722", this interview has it all folks. Take a listen! Browse Mr. Wolff's Books Here: -- People / Topics Covered: Albert Schweitzer (His Bach biography, Volume 1) "Bach's Seal" Bach's Handexemplar of the Goldberg Variations Caldara's Magnificat  Other composers Bach performed: Palestrina, Frescobaldi, Froberger, Buxtehude, Handel, Porpura, Pergolesi Neue Bach Ausgabe Saint Mark Passion Bach's Obituary The Zimmermann Coffee House - Follow Evan's instagram, because... well... it's the only one you should follow. -  Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach -- Suggestions? Want Evan to analyze a specific piece of Bach? Have other questions for Evan about music or anything at all? Write us: bach@wtfbach.com

This is the eighth bonus episode. Was Bach dictating this? Blind? On his deathbed?  Printed as the original conclusion to The Art of Fugue, "Wenn wir im höchsten Nöten sein" was not meant to be part of the work, but was meant to be compensation for the missing fugue. Even with this piece, there are myths surrounding it. Let's debunk. -- Follow me on instagram: @wtfbach   Thank you, THANK YOU, for listening. -evan   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

Rather than moving on to the final fugue, we have a brief visit to the final canon of the four canons in "The Art of Fugue." Canon per Augmentationem in Contrario Motu (Canon in augmentation and contrary motion [inversion]).  This form of this canon is very similar in construction to the previous ones, though rather than increasing the interval of imitation, the following voice appears in inversion and moving twice as slowly! A very complicated procedure. -- Evan is every day on his instagram stories uploading the great works of J.S.B: Watch  Check out Bach's 'gift canon' here:  Find a playlist of the music here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Ha250UDFktGqZjpt1hk7L?si=fIqZwtTUQJmzB9SYwskeYA Follow Evan on Instagram for even more content about Bach: www.instagram.com/WTFBach Support us, or become a Patron of Evan's and receive his very private inner thoughts on a regular basis: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

This is the seventh bonus episode. Among the errors in the assembly of the first printing of The Art of Fugue was the inclusion of an arrangement of fugue number 13 for two harpsichords. We look at the music, how it differs from the original 13th counterpoint (for one harpsichord) and how such an error could have been committed. It appears under the title, 'Alio Modo' ...another way. It contains a fourth, newly composed, non-imitative voice. And yes, since fugue 13 is a mirror fugue, Bach made two arrangements with two newly composed voices.  -- Follow me on instagram: I am heavy into posting the solo works for violin and cello on a daily basis: @wtfbach   Thank you, THANK YOU, for listening. -evan   Support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach

Question: If a piece of music is perfect both on its head and also its feet, which one is the inversion? In the previous fugue, fugue twelve, we saw Bach took four voices, a turned everything upside down: 1234 became 4321 and what went up came crashing down. Now, fugue 13 is again a 'mirror' fugue... or is it? This thirteenth fugue is in three voices and uses a technique almost identical to it's sister fugue, number 12, but is still more complicated.  Topics Covered: Which comes first in number 13, the rectus or the inversus?  -- DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH INSTAGRAM (they think Bach's music is 'Branded Content' - yikes. Public domain y'all) I AM MOVING STREAMS TO TWITCH.TV/WTF_BACH PLEASE FOLLOW ME THERE Find a selected playlist of the music found and discussed in this podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1Ha250UDFktGqZjpt1hk7L?si=fIqZwtTUQJmzB9SYwskeYA ... have you seen: http://bachchurch.com ???   Support us! Why not join Evan's Patreon, where he unique Bach-related insights on a weekly basis: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach    Write us: bach@wtfbach.com

This is an interview with mandolinist/composer/singer Chris Thile. Our conversation on May 14, 2021 spanned many diverse topics from how he felt about growing up in a religious community, to his favorite barrel aged spirits.  -- Musicians/Bands mentioned (Alphabetically): Bach, Beethoven, Bela Fleck, Bill Monroe, Edgar Meyer, Glenn Gould, Mike Marshall, Mozart, Nickle Creek, Radiohead, Richard Green, Russel Sherman, Vivaldi, Yo-Yo Ma -- Music/Books/Booze mentioned: Russel Sherman, 'Piano Pieces'  Saint Anne's Reel: https://thesession.org/tunes/103 What does a mandolin look like? Tolkien, 'The Lord of the Rings' Smith & Cross rum Plymouth Gin -- Check out Chris' new album here: http://smarturl.it/laysongs -- Follow Evan on Instagram for daily Bach: www.instagram.com/WTFBach Become a patron of this show & how to support us: https://www.patreon.com/wtfbach https://www.paypal.me/wtfbach https://venmo.com/wtfbach https://cash.app/$wtfbach   Suggestions? Want to sponsor an episode? Write us: bach@wtfbach.com