October 19, 2006
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Bach’s Passacaglia in C Minor for Organ
People! PEOPLE!! PEOPLE!!! I’ve just been introduced to the most glorious piece of music:
Bach’s Passacaglia in C Minor for Organ.
Thank you, Dr. Greenberg for using this piece to illustrate Baroque instrumental forms;
Thank you, Teaching Company for hiring one of my new heroes, Dr. Greenberg;
Thank you David for these tapes;
Thank you Johann Sebastian Bach for your unparalleled genius and mastery, for your Soli Deo Glorias;
Thank you Lord for Bach.This music drew my husband and son in from distant parts of the house; we all stood in silence, time suspended, and wondered at the beauty, marveled at the glory. Until this moment I thought Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor was the pinnacle of magnificent organ music. The Passacaglia doesn’t surpass the Toccata, but it matches it.
Here’s the deal: if you only have a minute go here. Scroll down just past the opening page and you can hear a sample from Disc 1, No. 6. If you have the time (and it is SOOO worth it) to download and listen to the entire piece than go here. Scroll until the little box on the side is 2/3 down the page. The Passacaglia is just below the picture of the blind organist from Germany. Under Passacaglia & Fugue you will want to click on the upper right choice. It took my DSL connection about 20 minutes to download and than 7:15 minutes to listen.
I wish you could hear Dr. Greenberg explain this piece and how to listen to it. This definition of passacaglia might help. There is a strict structure to this form. It begins with a baseline, eight measures, heard alone. This baseline will repeat (20 times in Bach’s piece) but the upper voices will be varied.
Comments (5)
Hi,
I am a friend of btolly and I keep seeing your sweet face on her blog and wanted to drop by and say hello. I find that we both love the same music and literature. (I love!!! Bede!!! ) Look forward to reading more of your sites in future.
Hi roseteacup! It’s always fun to meet someone new, and you must know that btolly is one of my favorite people on the planet. She reminds me of my mom, which is the highest compliment I can give to anyone. Thanks for stopping over. I wish I could offer you a pot of tea and warm conversation.
I will listen to this on your recommendation ASAP.
Off to meet DH right now tho;
Dana in GA
I only got to listen to the short version
I am, after all, at work at the front desk! But it is really glorious, AND now I have something to buy my dad (“the man who has everything”) for Christmas!!! Thanks, Carol.
p.s. Did all you kids play an instrument growing up? Just curious.
Oh, I’m so glad, Mel. Your dad *will* like it. Yes, he will! I sang in a concert last night and before we warmed up I approached the accompianist who plays a great pipe organ. I asked her if she had ever played Bach’s Passacaglia. Her face lit up and she said, “No! But I’d really like too. It’s just so very difficult. I’ve practiced the first seven pages and then there’s seven more to work on.”
Now that I’ve seen Yo-Yo Ma play in concert I need to replace it on my “Life Goals” list. I think hearing the Passacaglia live is a worthy entry, don’t you? (grin)
And to your PS question the answer is yes: Dorothy piano and violin, David trumpet, Margaret cello, John trombone, Jim violin and viola, Dan violin, Carol cello and piano. I’ll have to check with my siblings. I may not have that exactly right. I’m trying to get Dan to comment on my blog. Oh brother, where art thou?