EARLY MUSIC – JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Week: the many faces of Johann Sebastian
Period instruments and authentic baroque performances next to suites for cello played on the Cretan lyra, jazz and rock piano improvisations together with powerful variations of Goldberg, the Athens’ Concert Hall pipe organ contends with the blues harmonies of an electric Hammond organ: what is it that makes the music of Bach so alluring and mysterious, that invites us to ‘discover’ it over and over again as if through a prism of infinite angles? It is certainly ‘pure’ music, where every note is vital to the gradual building of the magnificent edifice, but also music which is infused by truth, allowing it to speak directly to our soul.
From the ‘first Bach’ to…the last!
Which young student of the piano hasn’t put on their music stand the score ‘A first book of Bach’, perhaps their first chance to play real music after a couple of years or so full of finger exercises and ‘boring’ scales?
Sunday, 5 March, during the day-long Big Day Bach, the Athens Concert Hall invites into its foyers and halls not only those small pupils, but also students of every instrument and of all ages, tomorrow’s musical talent, for a celebration overflowing with the music of the great Cantor of Leipzig. Entrance is free for the public.
Bach on the Organ
J.S. Bach:
– Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565
– Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her, BWV 606
– O Lamm Gottes unschuldig, BWV 618
– Heut’ triumphieret Gottes Sohn, BWV 630
– Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
– Trio Sonata, BWV 530
– Contrapunctus I from the Art of Fugue, BWV 1080
– Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
– Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier, BWV 731
– Prelude and Fugue, BWV 548
Ourania Gasiou organ