Bach and I

Bach.
Fugue in G minor.
This is a piece for organ, here in orchestral setting.

Once in Haarlem, Holland, I entered the St. Bavo's cathedral just when the organist was rehearsing this piece. I'll never forget the way the music just filled me. I didn't notice until afterwards how freezing cold it was inside the church, or if there were others present.
Everything disappeared.
It was just me and Bach.

Emma forever in my heart

One of my absolute favourite sopranos, English Emma Kirkby, in the aria Ich will dir mein Herze from St Matthew Passion. I usually prefer darker and rounder women's voices, but there is something extraordinary about Emma. She is so sharp, so exact, so clear. I love her singing Purcell, Pergolesi -and madrigals.

(At YouTube is also another aria, Blute nur, which is well worth listening to.)

A Bach encounter

A while ago I found this wonderful Czech mezzo, Magdalena Kozena. Her voice is pure delight, she is perfect.

See her meeting Father Bach himself in this lovely video.

BACH: Cantata BWV 30,
Kommt ihr angefochtnen Sünder.

Find out more about Kozena here.

Bach double concerto

Bach.
Concerto for two violins.
D minor.
1. Vivace.
1771.

For starters - Bach

I would like to share with you my favourite music. It will be glimpses from my music collection and also snippets of new goodies that I pick up along the way. My preferences are many and varied - but I won't give them all away at once. Hopefully this blog will be interesting for those of you who want a daily dose of good music - be it from a Baroque master, a Verdi opera or Bulgarian folk music.
I think I'll go for a real favourite to begin with. Father Bach.
Here are three versions of the same piece; Cello Suite No 1, Prelude. Enjoy!

Antonio Meneses
Andres Segovia (guitar)