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  • Laura posted an update 5 years, 2 months ago

    hello everyone. here is a gentle and peaceful rendition from Iceland.

    Víkingur Ólafsson – Bach: Organ Sonata No. 4, BWV 528: II. Andante [Adagio] (Transcr. Stradal)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3-rNMhIyuQ

    • 1. It’s organ music. Why play it on an instrument for which it’s neither intended nor particularly well suited?
      2. It’s abstract music. Why turn it into a movie soundtrack?
      3. Why does Mr Ólafsson interpret “andante” as “adagio molto tedioso”?

      As an antidote, here’s Marie-Claire Alain:

      I think Madame Alain expresses the Affekt of the music, while Mr Ólafsson reduces it to sentimental mush.

        • I do not know why an artist would choose to express art in a particular  personal way.  but I greatly appreciate the expression. Some new versions I like and some I don’t.  Repetition bores me. The video had a stark beauty and I interpreted it as a reminder to see the beauty in life even if the dark cold winter is freezing the joy right out of me.
          I am not familiar with the music terms, I hesitated posting a piece not on a period instrument. perhaps I will refrain. I will give a listen to your suggestion.

            • and I like to think that J. S. Bach was capable of employing his musical staff to accommodate for variable instrumentation

                • Laura–you just keep being Laura and don’t worry about some of the comments.
                  Peace and love

                    • hi acorn, cover versions of songs can be unsettling to some people. I think different versions are interesting. when teaching ‘fair use’ to analysts I would play a clip from the 2 live crew version of ‘Pretty Woman’ a subject of a legal case in which the Supreme Court found that a parody rap version could qualify as fair use. (Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., 510 U.S. 569 (1994)) I much prefer another cover version of that song, which probably would not qualify as a parody or a transformative fair use version:

                      this same band does a mashup of annie lennox ‘sweet dreams’ with white stripes ‘seven nation army’ – 2 melodies and 1 song.

                      it will be great to get out and see live music again.

                  • Laura, I regret making you the accidental target of my attack on the whole modern attitude to music. Please don’t give up posting links to music.
                    Here’s one of J S Bach’s harpsichord works played beautifully on a modern piano.
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWQYLsuR6nE

                      • Hi Peter, nice to think of me. I enjoyed the way the your Bach piece slowed down in the middle. I liked the Vikingur post because because it was both complex and soothing. It invites discussion and listening when context is provided with a posting. I appreciated the Víkingur Ólafsson version of Bach: Organ Sonata No. 4 because it was celebratory, Valentine’s Day and Víkingur Ólafsson’s birthday, and the film was quietly absorbing given the impending deep freeze.

                  • Here is a light one from Mendelssohn: Symphony 3 with an emphasis on the wind instruments. I found it a rather happy listen.
                    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfvT0xheCsA

                    • I was wanting some music while I finished up my morning chores and viola found your post Laura. Thank you.

                      • Loved! both of the other two you posted. What a great band.
                        Thanks Laura!