On the Patio with Bach and John
A baroque summer feast! Jan Davidsz. de Heem, Still life with ham, lobster and fruit, ca. 1652, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Bach is year-round music. Is there ever a time when his music does NOT seem appropriate? The depth and universality of his art suits any occasion.
For those of us living in a northern climate, however, summer is when we spend more time outside. One can easily imagine Bach’s music being performed in the summer months at Zimmerman’s outdoor coffee garden on the Wind-Mühl Gasse in Leipzig (although I do wonder how they managed to have a harpsichord or an organ in an outdoor location). It’s been my good fortune to spend some time in Leipzig on several occasions, always during the summer months, and I have dined more than once at the Thuringer Hof, just steps from the Thomas Kirche on Burgstraße. There has been an eating establishment in this location since Bach’s time, and I like to imagine that he might have relaxed there for a drink or a meal there from time to time during the many years he lived in Choir School building adjacent to the Thomas Kirche a short walk away. Sadly, many of the buildings that Bach must have frequented in Leipzig are no longer standing. The Choir school was completely rebuilt in the 19th century, the University church, St. Paul’s (the only church that survived into the 20th century unchanged since Bach’s time) was razed by the government of the DDR (the Deutsche Demokratische Republik or the German Democratic Republic) in the 1960s, and, crucially, the building that housed Zimmerman’s main indoor coffee house was destroyed by a bomb during the second world war.
In any case, during the warm weather of the summer months I hope you are able to enjoy some time outside. If you want to enjoy some of Bach’s music while you are relaxing in your garden or on a beach, here are a few suggestions from artists with a new take on some of Bach’s more well-known works (as well as a few more traditional suggestions) for some summer listening. In all of the adaptations, you’ll find that Bach’s indelible art shines through.
I’d also like to offer you an interesting recipe that I came across recently for salmon with peas and radishes to enjoy as you listen and entertain others or enjoy some restful time alone. It’s a great combination, and this suggestion is perfect for late spring/early summer when these ingredients can easily be found in your local grocery store or at a farmer’s market. Happy dining, and happy listening!
Click HERE for our Summer Playlist or click on a few of the pieces below to watch on YouTube:
Yo-Yo Ma, Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer - Trio Sonata No. 6 in G Major, BWV 530: I. Vivace
3. Gabriella Montero - Two-Part Invention in D Minor (after Bach's "Invention No. 4 in D Minor", BWV 775)
5. Jacques Loussier Trio - Brandenburg Concerto No. 5
7. Duo Mélisande -Goldberg Variations, BWV 988 arranged for two guitars
2. Sinfonia, Cantata BWV 156 arranged for trumpet & organ
4. Chris Thile - Partita No. 1 in B minor
6. Alison Balsom - Concerto for solo keyboard No. 1 in D major arranged for trumpet and organ
8. Swingle Singers - Fugue for organ in G Minor BWV 578 - Jazz-Voices Transcription
Special thanks to our general manager, Jennifer Collins for helping put this playlist together. Find a few more of John’s listening suggestions below:
An inventive and playful interpretation of the Well-Tempered Klavier by Christine Schornsheim.
An interesting combination of historical keyboard instruments used to perform the Inventions and Sinfonias, as well as some short preludes and fugues.