**** (out of 4 stars)
With: Joshua Bell, Bobby McFerrin, Philip Glass, Bela Fleck, Hilary Hahn
Directed by: Michael Lawrence
Rated: Not rated
What better way to celebrate Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday this week than to order a copy of an extraordinary DVD devoted to some of the greatest interpreters of his music reflecting on his genius? The DVD, titled Bach & Friends, comes from filmmaker Michael Lawrence and is available online now. (If you are in New York City, the film will also play at Symphony Space on May 16th.)
How often do we come across a documentary film about something so universal and human as the music of Bach? But let’s not call this a documentary. Let’s call it a ticket to an incredibly entertaining journey… as much about the musicians that convey their innermost thoughts on Johann Sebastian Bach as it is about Bach’s music itself. These musicians are the “friends” in the title, and they deserve such high billing.
In case you are wondering, I loved watching this DVD. I also loved watching it again, and getting things from it I hadn’t picked up on during the first viewing. It is a rare opportunity to witness firsthand the multiplicity of meanings that Bach’s music holds for some of the greatest musicians around today. It is uplifting to know that such a diverse collection of musicians each have their own emotional responses to Bach’s music. Sometimes it is not easy to describe such a response, and for most of these musicians their response is in the way they interpret Bach. These artists, better known for their musical rather than their verbal skills, confirm the instinctive supposition that there is no inappropriate response to art.
Not too familiar with the masterpieces of Bach? Don’t be scared. Bach’s music may be revered for its intellectual and technical perfection, but he is also one of the most accessible of classical composers, simply because somehow it all makes mathematical sense, and just feels right… and because it is just such profoundly moving music, sometimes due to its simplicity. He was the grand master of harmony (in dialogue with itself), and his influence cannot be overestimated. So if you are tempted to enjoy a glorious evening of classical music on DVD, this is the best of the best.
But Bach & Friends isn’t about how “great” Bach’s music is. It’s really about the experience of learning and playing Bach’s music, as lived by a stellar group of musicians and artists, including: Joshua Bell, Bobby McFerrin, Philip Glass, Bela Fleck, Hilary Hahn, Emerson String Quartet, Edgar Meyer, Manuel Barrueco, Chris Thile, Simone Dinnerstein, Jake Shimabukuro, The Swingle Singers, John Bayless, Matt Haimovitz, Peter Schickele, Richard Stoltzman, Zuill Bailey, Sid Meier, Joao Carlos Martins, Felix Hell, Mike Hawley, Uri Caine, Tim Page, Charles J. Limb, M.D., Hilda Huang, Anatoly Larkin, John Q. Walker, Harlan Brothers, Andrew Talle and Christoph Wolff.
Filmmaker Michael Lawrence has provided a lesson in music appreciation that virtually anyone would enjoy. Bach & Friends comes with two DVDs. The first disc is the documentary itself, the second is a supplemental disc that includes the complete performances alluded to in the documentary. This provides you with a stunning collection of performances when you simply want to hear the music. On this second disc, the highlights are: Matt Haimovitz (cello, Prelude – Cello Suite No. 1); Simone Dinnerstein (piano, Goldberg Variation 17); and Chris Thile (mandolin, Prelude – Violin Partita No. 3), and Joshua Bell (violin, Chaconne – Partita No. 2). The performance by The Swingle Singers is a great reminder of a group that some of us fell in love with years ago and maybe haven’t really thought much about lately. It’s wonderful to see (and hear) that they are as effervescent and perfect as they ever were.
Two subjects that arise repeatedly in these interviews are Bach’s use of improvisation, and the role of technology in his music. Both topics have relevance to artists today and generate conversation about the larger question of artistic inspiration. The inclusion of Sid Meier (who created a computer music composition program based in Bach’s example) is particularly interesting.
The film is packed with insight so correct and pragmatic that it could only come from those most familiar with the intricacies of Bach’s creative output. Describing the sheer quantity of Bach’s compositions, Philip Glass states: “I think basically what Bach wrote down was what he heard. I don’t think he ever composed anything. I think pieces arrived in his mind complete. There’s no other way to explain the massive amount of music he wrote.”
Exactly.
There is a centerpiece look at the profound effect that pianist Glenn Gould had on so many contemporary musicians. Hearing Uri Caine, Tim Page, Bobby McFerrin and others describe aspects of Glenn Gould’s impact is a film-within-a-film. I guarantee it will send you rushing to iTunes to download Gould’s Goldberg Variations.
And so I wish Bach a Happy 325th Birthday by singing the praises of Michael Lawrence for bringing us as close to the music as he can, without entering the instruments themselves. His camera glides along the cellist or violinist, mirroring the bow on the strings. The subtle, yet important, momentary choices made by a pianist’s fingers on the keyboard are seen from mere inches away. Making Bach’s music is clearly as much of a mystical experience as listening to it.
You can (and should) purchase the DVD from Michael Lawrence Films (click on the poster below):
Pingback: Enjoy » Blog Archive » Bach & Friends Premiere Announced