BACH: A PASSIONATE LIFE with JEG, BBC2/hd, 30.3.13 plus redbutton performances after

[Serial_Apologist]

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this programme...JEG came across very well, the story-telling, pictures and performances were first rate, in my opinion.

I'll certainly second that. And the fact that the cities and churches where JSB created his work are still architecturally intact helped bring his life and music to life.

(Off-topic, but right now I'm struck as to how Bach's passing away, apparently halfway through setting a canon (ok then fugue) was to be repeated almost exactly 200 years later by Schoenberg.)

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Brilliant.
The trailers had led me to think the worst, but in the event, it was one of the best composer documentaries I've seen in years.

[Nick Armstrong]

The red button coverage currently on (till 2.25 am) is great - uncut footage of rehearsals, performers talking, complete performances.

Recommended

[Suffolkcoastal]

Enjoyed it too, extracts from a number of pieces I hadn't heard before, good to see the churches where the music would have been performed. The analysis into Bach's character where of interest to and quite perceptive in that these aspects are essential to the character of his music. I doubt without a streak of arrogant self-confidence as well as an emotional toughness of character, Bach would have been able to produce and maintain the sheer quality of his music through his life in the far from easy situations in which he found himself.
Had to turn off quickly at the end though due to the ghastly advertisement for R3's Baroque Spring.

[David-G]

Bear in mind that on the red button now until 2.25am (!... presumably on a loop) are full versions of some of the performances in the documentary. (On Freeview, it's also available by selecting Channel 301 - which is the channel to which the redbutton shortcuts I think)

Thanks for the tip about channel 301, I have put it on to record. I greatly enjoyed the programme. It was I think the best programme on music that I have seen for a very long time. Presented very knowledgeably, and very straightforwardly, with no gimmicks. And the musical examples were delectable. I particularly liked the soprano Julia Doyle, she has been marvellous in concerts with the OAE. My appetite is duly whetted for Monday. (I succumbed and bought a ticket.) As I write this I am watching green with envy at a schoolboy of 15, playing so capably a Prelude on the organ in the Thomaskirche.

[jean]

The red button coverage currently on (till 2.25 am) is great -

How does this work when you aren't watching the programme any longer?

[ahinton]

Great programme I think. No talking down, no attempt to do it all - just an illuminating focus on a number of facets of this phenomenon that was Bach.

If there's one thing that the R3 baroque-fest has brought back home to me (hardly a revelation, but confirmed by further exposure to the rest) is that Bach is in a totally different league from everyone else (at the time, and since as far as I am concerned. His music for choir and instruments is about as good as it gets, full stop.)

Bear in mind that on the red button now until 2.25am (!... presumably on a loop) are full versions of some of the performances in the documentary. (On Freeview, it's also available by selecting Channel 301 - which is the channel to which the redbutton shortcuts I think)

Agreed fully - and with MickyD's comments. But the sheerly breathtaking and irrepressible imagination that enabled JSB to turn out so many works at such an astonishing pace without particularly repeating himself or sounding as though he's on autopilot for so much as a single measure really depresses me as much as it thrills me! Even in mid-life, he so often sounds as though his music is the product of hundreds of years of refining. As you say - "in a totally different league from everyone else"! And yes, congratulations of JEG for his very considerable part in on a most sensitively done programme.

[cheesehoven]

Thanks for the tip about this programme, otherwise I would have missed it. It was hugely enjoyable and even told me things that I did not know about Bach, and I'm a Bach anorak. My slight misgiving was the attempt to psychoanalyze The composer.
I've been in hog heaven watching the red button performances but sadly it started to loop after only half an hour.

[David-G]

Jean, forget the red button, just tune to channel 301.

[Nick Armstrong]

How does this work when you aren't watching the programme any longer?

Just press your red button when tuned to BBC2 (wait a few seconds after changing to the channel) and then you will be asked to press 'Select' or 'OK' for the "BACH CONCERT".

Or tune to channel 301 if you're on Freeview. Same result.

Sad to note that it's only 30 minutes, repeated over and over....

Welcome cheesehoven I like the name. Glad you were tipped off about this prog and able to watch it.


EDIT: (I'm recording it - just pruned the recording, in toto it's just over 37 minutes of extra footage, on a loop)

[Serial_Apologist]

Thanks for the tip about this programme, otherwise I would have missed it. It was hugely enjoyable and even told me things that I did not know about Bach, and I'm a Bach anorak. My slight misgiving was the attempt to psychoanalyze The composer.

I agree - the rest of the programme hardly portrayed a character riven with paranoia, though "rigid personality" had some ring to it...

And by the way, welcome to the Forum, cheesehoven!

[jean]

Jean, forget the red button, just tune to channel 301.

Or tune to channel 301 if you're on Freeview. Same result.

That's what I did - thanks.

(Missed most of the programme though, because I got the time wrong...it'll have to be the iPlayer!)

[cheesehoven]

I agree - the rest of the programme hardly portrayed a character riven with paranoia, though "rigid personality" had some ring to it...

And by the way, welcome to the Forum, cheesehoven!

Thanks SA.
And Caliban

[Nick Armstrong]

Thanks SA.
And Caliban

We've met your apparently less cheesy relative, Beef

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It was hugely enjoyable and even told me things that I did not know about Bach, and I'm a Bach anorak. My slight misgiving was the attempt to psychoanalyze The composer.

My thoughts and feelings, too, cheesehoven - and welcome from me, too.